Got a glut of courgettes? I don’t even grow them but find myself buying lots as they’re so cheap right now at the farmers markets. While we do enjoy all the fritters and stir fries we make, I’m still always on the lookout for other ways to use this summer squash. When I saw this recipe on A Taste of Home Cooking, I knew it sounded like a winner.
Rounds of courgette are coated in panko crumbs, baking up extra crispy on the outside and tender and almost juicy on the inside; strangely, when baked like this, the flavour of courgette is not very pronounced, making it a good way to convert courgette haters. They’re also very light (and healthy) as very little oil is used. We liked them just as they are though I imagine an aioli would also be nice for dipping.
Oven Fried Courgette Rounds
serves 2 as a side.
2 courgettes
1/2 cup plain flour
salt and black pepper
2 eggs
panko crumbs
a little sunflower oil
Slice the courgettes into rounds just shy of 1cm thickness. Place then in a colander, sprinkle with salt and toss together and then leave for 30 minutes. After that time, rinse them and dry the slices with some kitchen paper.
Preheat your oven to 180 Celsius.
Place the flour in a bowl and season it very well. In another bowl, beat the eggs together with a little water. Finally in a third bowl or plate, place the panko crumbs.
Line a baking tray with foil and brush with a little oil. Dredge each courgette round in the flour, then dip into the egg and then finally coat in panko crumbs. Lay onto the baking tray in a single layer. Place in the centre of your oven and bake for 20 minutes (turning the rounds once) until the panko crumbs are golden brown. Serve.
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 00:02
courgette haters? i adore this veg! and i love how you have baked it- i have a weakness for fried food- this probably tastes as good w/o all the calories. x shayma
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 00:30
Wow, they look so amazing. Great photo. I had something like these when I went to Spain recently. I don’t usually like courgette, but doing this to them makes them seriously delicious!
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 01:03
It looks delicious! I agree, I don’t ike courgette but tastes so amazing. I used the Paleo recipe book to make my own. Its really a great recipe book. If you wanna check it out, go to http://paleorecipebook.com/i3.html?hop=xjk1357
Its great! I really like it, I reccommend you buy it.
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 03:54
Yum. While this particular vegetable (I call it zucchini) isn’t cheap here, I’d have to try it as I know it’ll be great.
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 11:48
I love the idea of oven frying them! And aioli to dunk.
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 14:13
Courgettes courgettes courgettes! Here’s what I did with some last week:
– Courgettes, sliced lengthwise, brushed with oil, and cooked on a griddle pan. Sliced again after cooking, into thin fingers.
– Onions, sliced, ditto. (Leave some of the root attached to hold the layers together when you cook them; cut it off afterwards.)
– Feta, crumbled.
– Giant couscous, cooked in vegetable stock.
– Mix it all together, grind over some black pepper, eat warm.
It was really tasty, and very easy too.
I also like this: http://redfox.typepad.com/hungry/2005/08/summer-squash-gratin.html
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 15:45
I was just thinking “what am I going to do with all this damn zucchini?!” Thanks for the inspiration!
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 18:23
Thanks for the recipe. I grow courgettes and you always get too many with no new idea how to prepare them. I also saw aioli in my local store so will have to make the courgette fries!
Thu, 25 Aug, 2011 at 19:16
YES this looks great – will be stocking up on glorious courgettes and trying it out! x
Wed, 31 Aug, 2011 at 08:15
These look absolutely delicious! I’ve done something similar with round aubergines in italy, but never courgettes. Definitely a good way to get courgette haters to eat their greens 🙂 Bet they’d be delicious with a little parmesan in the coating too.
Fri, 2 Sep, 2011 at 12:59
I’ve been looking at a few courgette recipes this week, must try this one too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mon, 12 Sep, 2011 at 17:00
shayma: Yes, I too have a terrible terrible thing for fried foods. Love love love em.
frugalfeeding: Oooh, I wonder what they serve them with in Spain…
xstrenthening: Oh, right…I’ve heard of this Paleo diet…
aixxx: I wonder if zucchini can be grown in Japan?
Alicia: Much healthier than regular frying. 🙂 I need to whittle down by wurst waist.
Kake: Ohhhh, thank you! That gratin sounds beautiful!
emvandee: 😀 I should perhaps think twice about growing them when I have a garden then?
Robert: I totally understand – I love courgettes too but always do run out of things to do with them!
Hanna: Yay, hope they turn out well!
thelittleloaf: I love the idea of the parmesan! And some herbs too…mmmm…
thebountifulplate: Hope the recipe works out for you!