Zucchini Fries!

I know, there is nothing better than REAL french fries. My favorites are beer battered fries from Duke's or sweet potato fries from Gullifty's. And while fries are fun to eat from time to time, if I ate them whenever I wanted them I would have quite a few more pounds on me... and not pounds of muscle! So since you can't out train a bad diet, I am always looking for healthier versions of junk food.

I've had a "thing" for zucchinis this summer and have been trying out a couple different ways to use them in recipes. A few days ago, I found several recipes online for zucchini fries. They range from very healthy versions to semi healthy versions- like this recipe by Paula Deen.

So I took the healthiest recipe I could find (not Paula's!) and tried to make it even healthier. But it still had to taste good.

And here it is for you!

Meg's Zucchini Fries

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchinis
salt, pepper, garlic, & Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese
1 egg white
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. bread crumbs (can be already seasoned)

Directions:

1. Quarter 2 medium zucchinis. If they're still pretty big, or you like your fries small, you can cut them into eighths. (That's what I did!) Then slice them in half so they're "fry sized".

2. Put your bread crumbs in a bowl. If they're not already seasoned, season with salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning to taste.

3. Whisk the egg white and milk in another bowl. Coat each slice of zucchini with this mixture.

4. Lay out the zucchini on a greased baking pan.

5. Use a spoon to sprinkle the bread crumbs over your zucchini slices. You don't have to use all of the crumbs if it is too much for you. Then, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and any additional seasonings. I really like to overdo it on the pepper and garlic! And the salt. Who am I kidding?

 6. Oh yeah! Don't forget to preheat your oven to 425 like I did! I'm such a dummy!

7. Bake for 30 minutes, longer if you like your fries a little burnt like I do!

VOILA!!! AS YOU CAN SEE, I ENJOY MY ZUCCHINI FRIES SLIGHTLY BURNT AND DIPPED IN WARM MARINARA SAUCE WITH A GLASS OF WINE! 

ADD A CHICKEN BREAST AND THAT'S A DAMN GOOD DINNER!

Zucchini Thingers & A cool post about Aldi

I saw a recipe for these on Facebook a week or two ago. I forget what they were called. I just call them Zucchini Thingers because I'm not very creative at the moment! I changed them up a little bit and pretty much make them the same way I make my husband cheesey bread- but instead of the bread, I use Zucchini. What a great way to get your daily dose of veggies!

And with 3 medium sized zucchinis costing only $1.19 at Aldi, it's cheap, too!

(Check out this blog post about Aldi if you are curious about the store... 

or even if you already love it like I do!)

Zucchini Thingers

zucchini
sliced tomatoes
garlic/salt/pepper/Italian seasoning
shredded cheese (whatever kind you prefer)


1. Preheat oven - 350.

2. Slice the zucchini into 1/2 inch - 1 inch thick strips and lay them on a baking sheet.

3. Sprinkle with garlic, place sliced tomatoes on top, then coat with cheese.

4. Add salt, pepper, and/or Italian seasoning to taste.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Just keep an eye on them!

Voila! As you can see, I like to add extra garlic and salt to mine!