Serves a Crowd

Parmesan-Panko Fried Summer Squash with ButtermilkĀ Ranch

October  4, 2022
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Growing up in the Michigan, summertime was the luxurious season of eating from our garden. Every year, my mother lost control when planting the garden, and planted too many summer squash plants. With a bumper crop and neighbors who weren't squash fans, she found many ways to cook the abundant summertime vegetable. This recipe is my updated version on an old family favorite. —EdibleHumor

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Panko-Parmesan Summer Squash
  • 3-4 summer squash (zucchini and yellow squash)
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 eggs (whites only)
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • Buttermilk Ranch
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt 2%
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons fresh black pepper
  • salt to taste
Directions
  1. Panko-Parmesan Summer Squash
  2. Removing ends, slice squash into 1/4 inch disks.
  3. Add next three ingredients in small bowl and mix.
  4. Separate egg whites into their own bowl, and buttermilk as well, respectively.
  5. Dip disks into buttermilk, then egg whites, and finally panko crumbs/cheese mixture. Get aggressive with your dredging to make sure squash disks are at their panko-max.
  6. Heat 3/4 cup of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet. When hot, carefully add squash disks. Turn when browned, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on plates covered in paper towel. Do in batches, and cover finished squash to keep warm. Add more oil if necessary.
  1. Buttermilk Ranch
  2. Pulse first four ingredients in food processor. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pulse once or twice more (if you lose control and over-pulse, dressing will be green.)

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • theicp
    theicp
  • dymnyno
    dymnyno
  • Garlic Fiend
    Garlic Fiend

3 Reviews

Garlic F. October 1, 2012
I made these because my friend's mom gave me giant yellow squashes and zucchinis from her garden. They are soooooo good. I was eating them as they come out of the pan. They freeze very well too. I was able to reheat them in the oven and crisp them back up.
 
theicp July 1, 2010
Yum - I may have to a less classy version of this in the form of Chicken-fried Zucchini!
 
dymnyno June 30, 2010
Once again, zucchini makes a great carrier for other flavors! The Buttermilk Ranch dressing sounds delicious!