Fried Zucchini Salad Recipes

FRIED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLE PANZANELLA AND BABY ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• For the panzanella: Heat a grill or grill pan. Toss the zucchini, tomatoes, and onions gently with olive oil and salt and grill until cooked through. Flip halfway through cooking.
• Toss the bread cubes with vinegar, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a sprinkle of water, and salt.
• Chop the grilled vegetables and add to the bread mixture. Toss gently together and season with salt, to taste.
• For the blossoms: Heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, pinch salt, and club soda.
• Spoon the goat cheese into a piping bag and cut a hole in the bag. Gently fill each zucchini blossom with goat cheese.
• Dip each blossom into the batter and then carefully place into the hot oil. Cook until lightly puffed and golden. Remove the blossoms from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Season with salt immediately.
• Fry the basil leaves until just crisped. Set aside.
• For the salad: Toss the arugula with the oil, salt, and a splash of vinegar. Divide the arugula among 4 plates. Mold the panzanella into a ring mold and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining plates. Top each panzanella portion with 1 fried blossom. Drizzle with olive oil to finish and top each plate with a fried basil leaf.

ZUCCHINI, TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Trim off ends of zucchini. Cut it on bias into 12 slices of about the same size.
• Bring enough water to boil to cover zucchini slices when added. Add slices and cook 1 1/2 minutes; do not overcook. Drain.
• Cut away and discard core of tomato. Cut tomato into 1/4-inch slices.
• Cut mozzarella into 12 slices.
• Arrange zucchini, tomato and mozzarella slices, slightly overlapping, in a circle on a serving dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Combine vinegar and oil in a bowl and stir. Sprinkle the sauce evenly over the salad. Garnish with basil sprigs or leaves and serve.

YOTAM OTTOLENGHI'S PASTA AND ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a medium saucepan, heat sunflower oil over medium-high heat. Fry zucchini slices in batches (do not crowd them) for 3 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a colander to drain. Tip zucchini slices into a bowl, pour vinegar on top and stir, then set aside.
• In the hot water, blanch edamame for 3 minutes; drain, refresh under running cold water and set aside to dry. Keep boiling water in pot.
• In a food processor, combine half the basil, all of the parsley and the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and process until smooth.
• In boiling water, cook pasta until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water. Return pasta to pot. Pour zucchini slices and their juices over pasta. Add edamame, basil sauce, lemon zest, capers and mozzarella. Stir together gently, then taste and season with plenty of salt and pepper. Before serving, stir in remaining basil.

FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot such as a Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Whisk together panko and Parmesan in a pie plate; season with salt and pepper. Place flour and eggs in two separate pie plates, and season each with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Dredge zucchini in flour, tapping off excess. Dip into eggs, turning to coat, then remove, allowing excess to drip back into dish. Transfer to panko mixture, turning to coat, and pressing gently to adhere.
• Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, carefully lower zucchini into hot oil. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over and tender in the center, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes total. Allow oil to return to 350 degrees between batches. Remove and drain on prepared baking sheet. Season with salt. Serve with lemon wedges.