Fried Squash Recipe 435

BREADED AIR-FRYER SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat air fryer to 350°. Place squash in a large bowl. Add oil and seasonings; toss to coat., In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs and cheese. Dip squash in crumb mixture to coat both sides, patting to help coating adhere. In batches, arrange squash in a single layer on tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until squash is tender and coating is golden brown, about 10 minutes.

FRIED SQUASH AND/OR ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• 1. Slice squash into rounds 1/8"-1/4" thick.
• 2. When I have time, I salt the squash and let it sit for about 30 minutes to sweat out the excess water but when I am in a hurry I skip this step.
• 3. Combine milk and egg in a small bowl.
• 4. In a 2nd bowl (I use a plate) combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• 5. If you set the squash aside to sweat, dab them dry with a paper towel.
• 6. Then dip them in the egg mixture.
• 7. Then dredge them in the dry mixture.
• 8. Continue this process until all the rounds have been dredged.
• 9. Using enough to cover the bottom of the pan, heat oil in a large skillet using medium to medium high heat. Place squash in skillet and fry both sides of squash until golden brown.
• 10. Once fried, place on a paper towel to absorb extra oil.

COUNTRY FRIED SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine egg and milk together in a small bowl, mix well.
• In a second bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Dip squash slices first in the egg mixture, then dredge the squash in the dry mixture.
• Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Fry squash until golden brown.

SQUASH FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• 1. Peel and de-seed the squash.
• 2. Chef's Note: They're fairly easy to peel, but you'll need a sharp knife to cut through the tough skin.
• 3. Slice it in half, and then cut up French-fry shapes.
• 4. Chef's Note: The trick to crispy squash fries is the water content of the squash... you want as little as possible. One way to achieve this is to place the squash fries on paper towels, and then sprinkle with common table salt... Wait about 15 minutes, and then blot up all the extra moisture.
• 5. After drying off the fries, lightly brush them with the olive oil.
• 6. Place the fries on a cooling rack, fitted inside a rimmed baking sheet, and sprinkle on the kosher salt. Chef's Note: If you're using the table salt to dry out the fries, then go easy with the kosher salt in the next step.
• 7. Chef's Note: If you first spray the cooling rack with a non-stick spray, it will help in their removal, after you bake them.
• 8. Place a rack in the middle position, and then pre-heat oven to 425f (220c).
• 9. Bake for 40 minutes or so. Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and get nice and crispy.
• 10. Chef's Note: You really need to watch these during the cooking process... It's all in the timing. Too long, and they come out dried and tasteless, too soon, and they are still raw in the center. The process does have a lot to do with your oven, and proper calibration. I might suggest that you try a few at a time; changing the baking time, until you achieve the desired results.
• 11. Chef's Note: Since you are using a cooling rack, it lifts the squash fries off the baking sheet, allowing them to breathe. If you don't use the cooling rack, and place them directly on the baking sheet, first line the sheet with parchment paper, and second, you will need to flip them over, halfway through the baking process.
• 12. Serve with ketchup, or whatever you like... I like serving them with a Chipotle Aïoli that I'll post in a bit.