Grandma Liz's Fried Zucchini

My family misses me a lot now that I live in New York. Of course, I get homesick, too. And while there are many things that New York has that can’t be found anywhere else, my grandmother’s cooking is one thing that can’t be found on the streets of Manhattan.

So my mother has this really cruel thing she likes to do sometimes when we’re chatting. The conversation goes a little something like this:

Little Mary: So what are you guys doing today?

Big Mary: Oh, you know, the grandmas are here. We’re watching the Rays and Grandma Liz is making fried zucchini.



And I just start seeing red. I’ve been known to eat an entire plate of Grandma Liz’s zucchini straight from the pan; risking social humiliation and scalding the roof of my mouth with hot oil. It’s just that good. Before the frying process even begins, she lets garlic and hot chilis sizzle in the oil, infusing it with a peppery kick. Then using a simply seasoned flour and eggs she dips and drops the zucchini into the iron skillet to crisp. A little salt and pepper and you’re done.