Not Just Any Chip...Zucchini Chips

by Anita

Are you trying to eat more veggies or at least find a radical way to eat them to balance out your intake of licorice, diet soda or  cookies? Well, I am happy to say that I rarely eat or drink the aforementioned items but I certainly want to learn new ways to eat nature's savory candy. This recipe for Zucchini Chips is easy once you have the prep station ready. These are a great go-to for appetizers or a side dish and believe it or not they are still tasty chilled. To make Zucchini Chips healthy you can bake them however, I decided to fry them to get even more golden brown.

Zucchini Chips

Serving Size: 4 - 6

• 2-medium zucchinis
• 3 eggs (organic or free range)
• 1  to 1 1/2 cups whole wheat breadcrumbs (I used Trader Joe's brand)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• Olive Oil or vegetable oil 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Thinly slice the zucchinis about 1/8" round pieces; if they are too thick they will take longer to bake/fry
2. Prep station (2 shallow bowls): one for the beaten eggs and the other for the bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil (about 1 Tblsp) or 2 Tblsp of vegetable oil in a large saute pan  . Set to med-high heat.
4. Prep the zucchinis (using tongs, fork, or your fingers) by dipping into the egg and then in the breadcrumbs. Toss them in the breadcrumbs to coat. 
5. Put the breaded zucchinis on a plate to gather enough to make one layer of zucchinis in the hot saute pan.
6. Continue to coat another batch of zucchini chips while you monitor the chips in the pan. Turn over after 3 minutes. The oil will get hotter as you continue to cook. If you add more oil, be sure that it is heated before placing the chips in the pan.
7. Place the finish zucchini chips on a paper towel on a plate and cover while the others cook.
8. Repeat the process until all the zucchini chips are cooked to a golden brown. Enjoy your revolutionary veggie chips and save some for a late night snack!

The prepping station for your new veggie chips. It gets a little messy.

WHOLE WHEAT bread crumbs makes this REAL food

Egged. Breaded. Zucchini Chips in the making.

Single layer of Zucchini Chips in the hot saute pan

You can see the complete, all vegetarian meal that I created with zucchini, black beans, new baby potatoes, Bibb lettuce, and locally grown tomatoes.