The Zucchini Fry Upgrade You Need to Know About Right Now
We've reached the point in the summer when zucchini is everywhere—the farmers’ market, backyard gardens and the grocery store's produce section. Since I'm always on the lookout for new zucchini recipes, I turned to Instagram for a unique way to prepare my favorite summer squash and came across Diane Morrisey's Zucchini Fries with Comeback Sauce.
Related: 10 Healthy Zucchini Recipes
While zucchini fries have been around for quite some time, Morrisey recently pushed for their summer resurgence with the addition of "comeback sauce," saying "Zucchini fries are life right now." We happen to agree. Morrisey continues, "When you cut zucchini into spears, dredge them in a Panko-Parmesan mixture, bake them and then dip them in a delicious sauce, you’re gonna want to do it again and again and again." That was enough motivation for me to head to the store for supplies.
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What Are Zucchini Fries?
Zucchini fries are perfectly crunchy spears of panko-parmesan-coated zucchini that are fun to make and easy to devour.
The fries require only a few ingredients: zucchini, panko breadcrumbs, Parmigiano Reggiano, an egg and maybe a few herbs. It's the sauce that Morrisey suggests that makes the ingredients list appear long, though the recipe is easy and oh-so-worth it, so don't let the number of ingredients discourage you.
Related: 24 Veggie Summer Recipes
Theresa Greco
What is Comeback Sauce?
Let's take a minute to talk about the "comeback sauce." This all-around yummy condiment is well-known throughout the Southern states as a dressing for fried foods. It's a tangy mayo-based sauce with a hint of sweetness that's so good that it will keep you "coming back" for more—and more and even more.
How to Make Comeback Sauce
Theresa Greco
There are many recipes for this easy dipping sauce, most of which feature a combination of ketchup, mayo, chili sauce and oftentimes Worcestershire sauce. It's a forgiving recipe that can be spiced up or down according to your desired level of heat.
Since I had everything but the Heinz Chili Sauce on hand, I used a few items in my pantry to recreate a similarly satisfying substitute. I made an easy copycat chili by mixing tomato paste, brown sugar, garlic powder and chili powder. To make the sauce, I stirred in 1/2 cup mayo, 2-3 tablespoons ketchup, a pinch or two of smoked paprika and 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
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Related: 46 Healthy Summer Recipes
How to Make Zucchini Fries
Making the zucchini fries isn't as easy as mixing up the "comeback sauce," but it's still a simple process. Start by cutting your zucchini into fry-size planks. You can use a knife, but I happened to have a crinkle cutter handy, so I used that to slice the squash (Note: Looking for more uses for your crinkle cutter? Try watermelon fries.)
Once you've cut the veggies, mix equal parts panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk a couple of eggs. Bread the zucchini by dipping the veggie planks in the egg, then the breadcrumbs, rolling to coat completely. Transfer the breaded sticks to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 450° until the zucchini is tender and the breading is brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the fries cool slightly and serve with the sauce.
Theresa Greco
What I Thought of Diane Morrisey's Zucchini Fries With Comeback Sauce
Zucchini fries are delicious on their own and equally tasty served with ketchup or aioli, I'm here to tell you that this recipe is all about the dip. The tangy, creamy "comeback sauce" takes the fries to the next level. You'll be smitten after one bite. I'm definitely making the sauce again and scaling it up, so I can serve it with French fries and tater tots, use it as a sandwich spread, mix it with tuna for a fun summery sandwich...and I'm sure I can think of more tasty things to do with it.
