“Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.” ~ Jesse Jackson, American civil rights leader (1941 – )
Have you managed to stick with your resolution to eat more vegetables? Ever on the lookout for inspiration, we came across a book that is distinctively from the early 1970’s with a recipe for deep fried, beer-batter dipped veggies. Those were the good old days, weren’t they?
We can do much better.
Here is a tempting appetizer that can be served totally guilt-free, leaving us to once again realize that we have managed to include an extra serving of vegetables in our day. The sesame seeds add chewiness and protein, which leaves us feeling more satisfied.
The Mrs. Dash lets us keep the dippers free from added salt, and includes a nicely balanced combination of lemon, herbs, and peppery spices. Because the dippers aren’t fried in oils that help hold the flavors in our mouths, it is important to use ample seasoning.
Zucchini Dippers
Serves 4
Time: 10 minutes prep + 20 in the oven
¼ cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash or other salt-free seasoning blend
Olive oil to spray or brush
2 medium zucchini
½ cup pasta or pizza sauce, or ketchup for dipping
Preheat oven to 425° F.
Combine the bread crumbs, sesame seeds, and Mrs. Dash together in a soup bowl.
Trim the ends off the zucchini, then slice in half crosswise so that you end up with 4 pieces of roughly the same length. Make lengthwise cuts in each of those pieces so that each yields 8 sticks.
Lightly spray or brush the zucchini sticks with olive oil. Roll each stick in the crumb mixture to coat lightly and place skin-side down on a baking sheet (do not grease the sheet). Bake for 20 minutes, until the top edges of some pieces are just beginning to brown.
Remove from the oven and serve hot with sauce or ketchup for dipping. Be sure to save any of the crumb and seed mixture that has fallen onto the baking sheet; the toasty flavor is perfect for topping a salad!
Hint: Any remaining crumbs can be spread out on the baking sheet after the dippers have been removed to toast in a 425° F oven for 3 minutes.
“Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.” ~ Jesse Jackson, American civil rights leader (1941 – )
Have you managed to stick with your resolution to eat more vegetables? Ever on the lookout for inspiration, we came across a book that is distinctively from the early 1970’s with a recipe for deep fried, beer-batter dipped veggies. Those were the good old days, weren’t they?
We can do much better.
Here is a tempting appetizer that can be served totally guilt-free, leaving us to once again realize that we have managed to include an extra serving of vegetables in our day. The sesame seeds add chewiness and protein, which leaves us feeling more satisfied.
The Mrs. Dash lets us keep the dippers free from added salt, and includes a nicely balanced combination of lemon, herbs, and peppery spices. Because the dippers aren’t fried in oils that help hold the flavors in our mouths, it is important to use ample seasoning.
Zucchini Dippers
Serves 4
Time: 10 minutes prep + 20 in the oven
¼ cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash or other salt-free seasoning blend
Olive oil to spray or brush
2 medium zucchini
½ cup pasta or pizza sauce, or ketchup for dipping
Preheat oven to 425° F.
Combine the bread crumbs, sesame seeds, and Mrs. Dash together in a soup bowl.
Trim the ends off the zucchini, then slice in half crosswise so that you end up with 4 pieces of roughly the same length. Make lengthwise cuts in each of those pieces so that each yields 8 sticks.
Lightly spray or brush the zucchini sticks with olive oil. Roll each stick in the crumb mixture to coat lightly and place skin-side down on a baking sheet (do not grease the sheet). Bake for 20 minutes, until the top edges of some pieces are just beginning to brown.
Remove from the oven and serve hot with sauce or ketchup for dipping. Be sure to save any of the crumb and seed mixture that has fallen onto the baking sheet; the toasty flavor is perfect for topping a salad!
Hint: Any remaining crumbs can be spread out on the baking sheet after the dippers have been removed to toast in a 425° F oven for 3 minutes.