Fried Zucchini with Parmigiano-Reggiano and Lemon from 'Franny's'

By
Kate Williams
Kate Itrich-Williams is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kate Williams
Kate Itrich-Williams is a food writer, editor, and recipe developer who wrote the "Cook the Book" column for Serious Eats.
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Updated March 20, 2019

Fried vegetables make up a substantial chapter in the new Franny's cookbook. Rather than serving a plethora of deep fried cheese sticks and onion rings dipped in tomato sauce, Andrew Feinberg and Francine Stephens take a lighter approach. Many of the fritti, like these fried zucchini sticks, are pieces of vegetables coated in a light tempura-like batter and given a quick dip in hot oil. The thin batter puffs and turns a light golden-brown, leaving the zucchini tender throughout, yet still bright green within. Freshly ground black pepper, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a squeeze of lemon are all they need as a finishing touch.

Why I picked this recipe: Zucchini are just starting to appear in markets right now, so it was the perfect time to give this lightly fried take a try.

What worked: The club soda, flour, and cornstarch batter was perfect for the zucchini. Lemon, pepper, and Parmesan were the only additions that the tender-crisp vegetables needed.

What didn't: I had a hard time getting the batter to stick to the first batch of zucchini, no matter how dry they were before hitting the bowl. I added 2-3 more tablespoons of flour to thicken the mixture and then had more success.

Suggested tweaks: You could fry other vegetables in a similar manner. I'd give whole scallions, asparagus, and green beans a try first.

Reprinted with permission from Franny's: Simple seasonal Italian by Andrew Feinberg, Francine Stephens, and Melissa Clark. Copyright 2013. Published by Artisan. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.

Recipe Details

Fried Zucchini with Parmigiano-Reggiano and Lemon from 'Franny's'

Active 30 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound slim zucchini, trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
  •  
  • Batter
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup club soda
  •  
  • Safflower, canola, or grapeseed oil for deep-frying
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Lemon wedges
  • Shaved or coarsely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

  1. Slice each zucchini lengthwise into quarters; if necessary, slice each quarter in half again to make 3/4-inch-thick sticks. Cut out the seeds. Place the zucchini in a colander set over a bowl and toss with the salt. Let stand for 30 minutes.

  2. To make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and flour, then whisk in the club soda.

  3. Pat the zucchini very dry with paper towels.

  4. In a deep fryer or heavy pot, heat at least 2 inches of oil to 375°F. Working in batches, dip several zucchini sticks at a time into the batter, lower carefully into the oil, and fry until light golden, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, then season with salt and lots of pepper. Serve the zucchini with lemon wedges and shaved cheese.

  5. Andrew's Note: Presalting the zucchini is very important. Letting the watery flesh of the vegetable absorb the salt for 30 minutes ensures a well-seasoned, flavorful result. And don’t skimp on the black pepper—this dish needs that aggressive bite.

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