Zucchini fries: A healthy twist on a classic snack

These vegetables often compete with each other. Potato pancakes or those made with zucchini? The same situation applies to fries. Should you go for the classic ones or the healthier ones made from green vegetables? Essentially, one dish doesn't exclude the other. However, when it comes to fries, it must be admitted that those made from zucchini are healthier and lighter.

Zucchini fries are a great option for people who want to enjoy the taste of this snack but wish to avoid excess calories. Zucchini is a low-calorie vegetable, rich in vitamins and minerals, and often appears in diet recipes. When it comes to fries, it's also about the method of preparation. You can traditionally deep-fry them in oil or bake them in the oven. The latter option is definitely lighter and healthier.

Zucchini fries, in any form, can be not only a side dish for lunch but also a delicious, warm snack. They taste great with a simple yogurt dip with garlic or chives.

What else sets zucchini fries apart? They are exceptionally delicate in flavour, but just add a coating to turn them into a snack with character. You can use herbs, a blend of Provençal herbs, or basil or thyme fits very well. Their flavour is also enhanced by paprika or garlic. However, the hit is Parmesan cheese. It gives the zucchini an original taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 young zucchinis,
• flour,
• salt, pepper, ground garlic, paprika, Provençal herbs to taste,
• 2 eggs,
• 3 tablespoons of milk,
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs,
• a little less than a cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Preparation method:

1. Wash the zucchinis, dry them, and cut off the ends. Cut each one in half, then slice them several times lengthwise to get fries no thicker than 2.5 cm.
2. Place the flour, salt, pepper, and ground garlic, along with the other spices, in a deep bowl. Add a few zucchini strips at a time and shake the bowl to coat them thoroughly with the flour and spices. Place them on a plate.
3. Beat the eggs with a fork and add the milk.
4. Mix the breadcrumbs and grated cheese thoroughly on a separate plate.
5. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Dip the flour-coated zucchini thoroughly in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumb and cheese coating.
7. Arrange the prepared zucchini pieces side by side on the baking sheet.
8. Bake the fries in the preheated oven for about 10–15 minutes, until the coating is browned.