Pan-Fried Zucchini Chips

August 8: National Zucchini Day

We usually eat at an Italian restaurant close by our house to catch up with fellow marriage sponsors, Jim and Marie P. While sharing experiences about how we are preparing our engaged couples at church for an important sacrament, we always order pan-fried zucchini chips to tide us over until our entrees arrive at the table. 

Zucchini has been cultivated in Northern Italy for three centuries; Italian immigrants brought the long green veggie to the United States. Fried zucchini originated in Pittsburgh, although the Italians also eat it fried/sauteed, fresh, baked or boiled. Actually, it was Pennsylvanians Jim and Marie who introduced the pan-fried zucchini chips at our first “double date” meeting and the crunchy appetizers have become our tasty tradition.

In pandemic times, our double dates have become rare, special outings. So when we crave those appetizers, we make pan-fried zucchini chips in our home kitchen. We would enjoy eating them with our friends at the restaurant, though. But for now, as we try to be careful from COVID cases, we can cook them on occasion and on National Zucchini Day.    

Recipe
(Adapted from Eating Well)

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced ¼ inch thick
  • 1/3 cup flour, all purpose
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs or panko
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/3 – ½ cup olive or avocado oil
  • Salt to taste

Directions

Wash and slice zucchini. Pat dry with paper towel. Set aside. Prepare three shallow bowls: one for the flour, another for the beaten eggs and the third for the lemon zest-breadcrumbs/panko-cheese mixture. Zest the lemon. 

Mix zest with the breadcrumbs/panko and Parmesan cheese. Dredge the zucchini slices in flour and shake off any excess. Dip in eggs. 

Press zucchini into the lemon zest-breadcrumbs/panko-cheese mixture. Heat oil in a skillet till hot. Reduce heat to medium high. Fry the zucchini till browned on both sides, around 1-2 minutes each, and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Zucchini is also known as courgette in other countries (Britain, Holland, New Zealand, Malaysia and South Africa).
  • Search our blog for other zucchini recipes.