Categories | Free Recipes | Recipe Links  |  Share Recipes  |  Poll  |  Search

Want a crispy, crunchy snack that won't break the calorie bank?  Try the variation of a recipe for Zucchini zeitgeist found at Baker Bolanger's site.   (Don't let on that they're eating vegetables!)

Crispy Corny Zucchini Sticks

Preheat oven to 425 F.  (Note #1)

4 medium-size zucchini
2 egg whites, beaten in a large bowl
3/4 cup yellow corn corn meal
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning OR
        1/4 teaspoon black pepper
        1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
        1/8 teaspoon dried basil
        1/8 teaspoon ground bay leaf
cooking spray
salt

Wash zucchini and trim off the ends.  Cut them into long, skinny strips about the thickness of very thin French fries.

Spray 2 cookie sheets or baking pans thoroughly with cooking spray.  Mix together the corn meal, cheese and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl. 

Put the zucchini into the egg white and gently mix so all the strips are coated.   Take out 2 to 3 at a time, (Note # 2) shaking off excess egg white, and lay them into the corn meal mixture.  With the other hand, roll them in the meal to coat.  Lay side by side, not quite touching, on the cookie sheet in a single layer.   Continue until all the zucchini is coated.

Spray the zucchini well with cooking spray.  Place in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, checking and shaking or turning towards the end of the cooking time.  When they begin to brown nicely, they are done.  Do not over-cook.

Sprinkle with salt or salt substitute to taste, and remove to a serving plate.   Serve plain or with ketchup.   Eat while hot for best flavor and crunch, but they are fine cold too. 

Note # 1:   If you are fixing these for big time munchies, a communal game-watching session, a sleepover, etc., take advantage of the pre-heated hot oven and fix Fast Crispy Oven Fries at the same time.

Note #2:  I'm a lazy cook.  I like to fix food, but if there's a quicker way to do it, I'll take it.   I've tried shaking these in a paper bag or covered bowl, putting them all in at once, dumping them on the cookie sheet, and so on.  Nothing works except doing the little so-and-so's one by one.