Our favorite way to prepare fresh zucchini from our garden is to batter and fry it. I’m going to share with you how to fry zucchini the easy way.
Because I grow a garden every summer, I always have plenty of fresh zucchini and yellow squash all season long. Though fried squash is our favorite way to eat zucchini, we also enjoy it in other recipes. You can check out my Skillet Yellow Squash with Bell Peppers Recipe, Sheet pan squash and Vegetables, Sheet pan Vegetables and Smoked Sausage, and my Skinny Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles.
What is zucchini?
Zucchini is a green variety of smooth-skinned summer squash. It is shaped like a cucumber and has smooth dark green skin.
Zucchini is packed with many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has high fiber content and a low-calorie count.
How to choose or harvest a Zucchini squash?
Choose (or harvest) a zucchini when it is young, no larger than 6-8 inches long. They are best if firm and free of nicks and cuts. Avoid soft or mushy zucchini. At my house, lesser zucchini go to the chickens, and they love it.
Harvest and Storage Tips
My number one tip, get them while they are young! No more than 8 inches long. Store in the refrigerator in the crisper section.
How to Tell if Your Zucchini is Bad
If their insides are stringy, spongy, fibrous, or spoiled with an unpleasant smell and filled with hard, big mature seeds, you should compost them.
How to Prepare Zucchini
Wash thoroughly in cold water. Slice off the tough stem. The rest of the zucchini is edible. Cut into thin slices.
Basic Ingredients
I keep my recipe super simple! But let me tell you, it is very delicious.
- Flour
- Corn meal
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Simple add-ins for flavor; salt, pepper, & onion powder.
Other Ingredients You May Add to Your fried Zucchini
- Garlic Powder
- Red Pepper
- Paprika
- Seasoned salt
- Cajun seasoning
- Bread crumbs
How To Make Fried Zucchini
You will need 2 shallow dishes or bowls. A pie pan works great. Pour 3/4 cup of milk into one pan. In the 2nd pan mix equal parts flour and cornmeal, then add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip sliced Zucchini in flour, then milk, then flour again. If you want to have crispy chunks on your zucchini, pour a little bit of the milk into the flour mixture to produce small chunks. Use a fork to break down larger clumps. Place coated zucchini in hot oil over med/high heat and fry until golden brown.
Fried Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini sliced thinly
- vegetable oil
- 3/4 C milk
- 3/4 C corn meal
- 3/4 C flour
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- You will need 2 shallow dishes or bowls. A pie pan works great.
- Pour 3/4 cup of milk into one pan.
- In the 2nd pan mix equal parts flour and cornmeal, then add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip sliced Zucchini in flour, then milk, then flour again. If you want to have crispy chunks on your zucchini, pour a little bit of the milk into the flour mixture to produce small chunks. Use a fork to break down larger clumps.
- Place coated zucchini in hot oil over med/high heat and fry until golden brown. You may need to do it in batches. Do not crowd the zucchini.
- Place cooked zucchini on a plate covered in paper towels to help pull some of the oil from the zucchini. Sprinkle with more salt, if desired.