Shoestring Zucchini Fries Food

SHOESTRING ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Halve zucchini crosswise, then cut each half lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide slices and cut slices lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick strips. Toss with salt in a large medium-mesh sieve set over a bowl and drain 30 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of zucchini to remove moisture, then roll up in a triple layer of paper towels and squeeze to remove remaining moisture.
• Cook garlic in oil in a 7- to 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Discard garlic.
• While garlic is cooking, toss zucchini with flour in a small bowl, then add to oil and fry, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon, until zucchini is golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer zucchini to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately.

SHOE STRING FRIES

Steps:

• Heat about 2-inches of oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 365 degrees F. Line a pan with paper towels.
• While the oil heats slice the potatoes into shoestring fries with the thin julienne attachment of a hand-held mandolin or vegetable slicer. Swish the cut potatoes in a bowl of tepid water, and then spin them as dry as possible in a salad spinner. Spread them on towels, and blot with more towels-you want the potatoes bone dry so that they don't spatter in the hot oil.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, and working in batches, carefully add the potatoes to the oil and fry until brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Scoop the fries from the oil with a slotted spoon, and drain on the prepared pan. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes, making sure the oil returns to 365 degrees F. before adding each batch. Season with salt and serve.
• Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

SESAME TUNA BURGERS WITH FRIED SHOESTRING ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Toast sesame seeds:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Toast sesame seeds in a shallow baking pan in oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool completely. Transfer 2 tablespoons seeds to a small bowl and 1/4 cup to grinder. Transfer remaining 3/4 cup to a wide shallow bowl.
• Prepare shoestring zucchini for frying:
• Halve 3 zucchini crosswise, then cut lengthwise into 3/4-inch shoestrings using slicer. Toss with 1 teaspoon salt in a large sieve set over a bowl and drain 30 minutes.
• Squeeze handfuls of zucchini to remove moisture, then roll up in a triple layer of paper towels and squeeze to remove remaining moisture.
• Form burgers:
• Finely chop tuna with a large wet knife (about 3/4-inch pieces). Stir together soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, then stir in tuna. Divide tuna mixture into 4 portions. Pack 1 portion in a 1/2-cup measure, then invert onto seeds in shallow bowl. Gently press tuna to form a patty 3 1/2 inches in diameter, then coat completely with seeds and transfer to a wax-paper-lined plate. Form, coat, and transfer 3 more burgers in same manner. Chill, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to cook. Discard any sesame seeds remaining in shallow bowl.
• Make sesame mixture:
• Grind seeds that are already in grinder, pulsing until ground to a flour, then add to remaining seeds (2 tablespoons) in small bowl.
• Prepare zucchini:
• Remove julienne attachment from slicer, then cut remaining zucchini lengthwise into 3/4-inch-thick ribbons using slicer. Gently toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and set aside (zucchini will wilt and become tender).
• Heat 1 inch oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until thermometer registers 330°F.
• Toss all of shoestring zucchini with half of sesame mixture in another large bowl, then fry in 4 batches, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon, until zucchini are golden, about 2 minutes per batch. (Return oil to 330°F between batches.) Transfer zucchini as fried to paper towels to drain. Toss each batch of zucchini immediately with some of remaining sesame mixture.
• Cook burgers and assemble dish:
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Cook burgers, turning over once, about 2 minutes total for medium-rare tuna (seeds should be golden brown).
• Drain zucchini ribbons and divide among 4 plates, then top with burgers and fried shoestring zucchini. Serve burgers with additional soy sauce on the side.