Baked Zucchini Sticks

If there's one thing I love, it's the idea of being healthy. Unfortunately for me, I lack the restraint to limit myself to a few handfuls of potato chips and I find it way too hard to stop my legs from taking me towards the nearest source of deep fried food. Oh, and I hate running and most forms of exercise.

Mmm.. Baked Zucchini Fries

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like my fruits and veggies -I like them quite a lot actually, but the call of the salty and deep fried is just too strong.

It then becomes quite exciting when I find that I can combine my love for getting my five plus a day with a few bread crumbs and cheese so imagine my excitement when I stumbled across Aggies Kitchen and her delicious parmesan zucchini sticks! Bread crumbs and cheese make everything better.

Step 1: Long planks

Along with eggplants, zucchinis are one of my favourite vegetables. I love them so much that I try to incorporate zucchini into my meals as frequently as possible -risotto, noodles and even sandwiches! It's because they aren't really like your average vegetables. They taste.. meaty..

Steps 4 and 5: Dipping and Breading stations are go

Do you know what I mean?

Dressed and ready to go into the oven

Please tell me you do. I don't want to seem like a crazy person with her crazy meaty veggies!

Into the oven they go

Anyway.. I think it's the texture that appeals to me so much. It becomes mushy, but manages to keep its shape when cooked and has the ability to soak up all the yummy ingredients that have been put in the pot with it -in this case, yummy parmesan cheese.

Mmmmmm

These are one of the best party snacks I've come across. Zucchini sticks require minimal preparation, cheap and are a great hit with everybody. Perhaps it's a great way to make your picky kid eat their veggies?


Please tell me you know what I mean by "meaty vegetables"..

Baked Zucchini Sticks

Ingredients:

3 large zucchini, sliced longways, halved and cut into sticks

2 eggs
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried garlic powder
Olive oil spray 

Method:

1. Slice zucchini into long planks, then halve and then into sticks. You know, like chips.

2. Beat the eggs in a large, shallow bowl and set aside. This will be your glue.

3. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and oregano and garlic powder. This is the yummy.

4. Start by dipping your zucchini sticks, 3 or 4 at a time, into the egg mixture and allow any extra to drip off.

5. Coat the zucchini sticks in the bread crumb mixture by rolling it around and place it on the baking paper.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed.

7. Spray the zucchini sticks with a light coating of olive oil and place into the oven (which you have preheated to 220°C)

8. Bake for around 10 minutes and flip them all over with a spatula and stick them back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until golden brown.

9. They should be quite yummy now. Sweet chilli sauce goes very well with these =)