2013 – Gluten Free Living

I have to say, this simple dish of Fried Zucchini is probably my favorite way to eat zucchini. I can make up a batch of this with two or three zucchinis and eat the whole thing myself–and in one sitting! I only use sweet cream butter when I cook (never salted). I think between that and the cornmeal it adds a little bit of sweetness to the zucchini. Anyway the outcome is fantastic. It has only 5-ingredients: zucchini, cornmeal, butter, salt and pepper. I mean, you can’t get ANY easier than that! Talk about economical!

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If you’re looking for a new way to use up garden produce, this recipe is for you! This is a great way to use up zucchini when you have an abundance of them. Even kids can make this easy recipe. All I do is put about a tablespoon of butter (you can use coconut oil if you prefer) in a cast-iron skillet. Heat and melt the butter. Dredge both sides of the the zucchini in cornmeal (real cornmeal, not cornmeal mix). Finally, saute the zucchini until lightly browned. Turn the zucchini over and saute the other side. After that, remove zucchini pieces to a platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. SO easy.

I make this as a side dish a lot during the summer months when zucchini is in season. This gluten free recipe can easily be made vegan by switching to coconut oil or avocado oil to saute the zucchini. The zucchini is just mouthwatering this way.

The first time I tasted this heavenly zucchini was when one of our neighbors invited us over for dinner when our children were little. She served this along with steak, grilled onions, salad and pie. We LOVED this recipe and I’ve made it often in the past 30 years or so. Fried Zucchini is so simple but still very succulent to the taste buds. Why don’t you give this recipe a try sometime soon?

Fried Zucchini is a flavorful side dish that’s a great way to use up garden produce.

Fried Zucchini really has such wonderful flavor for being such a simple recipe.

This close up shows the texture of Fried Zucchini. Each piece is dipped in cornmeal, sauteed in butter, and then sprinkled with salt and pepper. To make this vegan, fry the zucchini in avocado oil or coconut oil.

Here’s what I did.

Start with zucchini. I used 3, but you can use as many as you need. Count on 1/2 of a zucchini for one serving. Wash zucchini and slice down.

Dredge each zucchini slice in cornmeal on both sides. It is actually good to have the zucchini a little wet because the cornmeal adheres to the surface better. 

Meanwhile, set your cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add about a tablespoon of butter. Add zucchini pieces. Approximately one medium zucchini will fit cut down in slices in a ten-inch skillet.

Turn the zucchini over so the other side can cook. I did this procedure actually in four batches before all the zucchini was cooked. I added a tablespoon of butter each time I added another batch of zucchini to the pan.

You can add a lid while cooking the zucchini so it cooks through and even steams while frying. Here the zucchini is done.

Place cooked zucchini on a paper towel-lined platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

We love the delicious flavors of Fried Zucchini. Dredging the zucchini in cornmeal actually provides a sweet flavor to the vegetable. Each time you add a layer of the zucchini, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Serve as a side dish with any kind of grilled meat or casseroles. 

We love Fried Zucchini and make it a lot in the summer when zucchini is in abundant supply. But since zucchini is available year-round, I make this in the winter too.

Here’s the recipe.

FRIED ZUCCHINI

(Recipe from Lorrel Newton, when we attended First Baptist Church Indian Rocks, Largo, FL)

Fried Zucchini

Teresa Ambra

Fried Zucchini is one of our favorite ways to eat zucchini. It's so mouthwatering and a terrific side dish option when you have a lot of zucchini on your hands. This quick and easy 5-ingredient veggie side dish has a wonderful, savory flavor. This delightful recipe is gluten free.

No ratings yet

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Veggie Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 121 kcal

Equipment

• 1 extra large skillet or griddle
• 1 small bowl
• 1 sharp knife to slice zucchini
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 medium zucchini washed
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter or more, as needed
• 1/2 tsp. Salt and pepper as desired

Instructions

 

• Heat about 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet, other large skillet or griddle.
• Place cornmeal in small bowl.
• Wash zucchini. It is okay to leave a little water on it because it makes the cornmeal adhere to the zucchini better.
• Dredge zucchini slices into cornmeal to cover completely on one side.
• Turn zucchini slices over and coat other side with cornmeal.
• Place in skillet.
• Cover with lid.
• Cook about 8-10 minutes until the bottoms are light-to-medium brown.
• Turn zucchini slices over with a fork.
• Replace lid cover.
• Cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
• Remove to medium-sized paper towel-lined platter.
• Heat another tablespoon and repeat the process twice.
• Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Notes

NOTE: You can usually fit one sliced zucchini in a 10-inch skillet, so you will need to sauté 3 batches of zucchini, each with a tablespoon of butter, until all 3 zucchinis are used. (You can also use multiple skillets or fry on a griddle to speed things up).

 

NOTE: This is equally good substituting yellow squash or peeled eggplant, or mixing any combination of all three.

 

NOTE: This recipe can easily be made vegan by using avocado oil or coconut oil to replace the butter.

 

^© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 9mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 381IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

Keyword gluten free, side dish, vegetable, zucchini

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Depending on how many zucchinis you’re frying, it may take 30-45 minutes to fry up all of it (unless you use multiple skillets). But oh, the succulent, moist taste of the zucchini is worth it!

Doesn’t Fried Zucchini look mouthwatering? 

I can eat and eat and eat this fantastic side dish! Why don’t you come join me?

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

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Fried Okra

Fried Zucchini

Teresa Ambra

Fried Zucchini is one of our favorite ways to eat zucchini. It’s so mouthwatering and a terrific side dish option when you have a lot of zucchini on your hands. This quick and easy 5-ingredient veggie side dish has a wonderful, savory flavor. This delightful recipe is gluten free.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Veggie Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 121 kcal

Equipment

• 1 extra large skillet or griddle
• 1 small bowl
• 1 sharp knife to slice zucchini
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 medium zucchini washed
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter or more, as needed
• 1/2 tsp. Salt and pepper as desired

Instructions

 

• Heat about 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet, other large skillet or griddle.
• Place cornmeal in small bowl.
• Wash zucchini. It is okay to leave a little water on it because it makes the cornmeal adhere to the zucchini better.
• Dredge zucchini slices into cornmeal to cover completely on one side.
• Turn zucchini slices over and coat other side with cornmeal.
• Place in skillet.
• Cover with lid.
• Cook about 8-10 minutes until the bottoms are light-to-medium brown.
• Turn zucchini slices over with a fork.
• Replace lid cover.
• Cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
• Remove to medium-sized paper towel-lined platter.
• Heat another tablespoon and repeat the process twice.
• Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Notes

NOTE: You can usually fit one sliced zucchini in a 10-inch skillet, so you will need to sauté 3 batches of zucchini, each with a tablespoon of butter, until all 3 zucchinis are used. (You can also use multiple skillets or fry on a griddle to speed things up).

 

NOTE: This is equally good substituting yellow squash or peeled eggplant, or mixing any combination of all three.

 

NOTE: This recipe can easily be made vegan by using avocado oil or coconut oil to replace the butter.

 

^© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 9mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 381IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

Keyword gluten free, side dish, vegetable, zucchini

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!