Here is a recipe to use when you miss picking that zucchini and it becomes a monster. Just slice and treat it as you would if making schnitzel. You can shallow fry the schnitzels or as I have done, go for the low calorie oven baked version. You can use any of your favourite herbs or spices in the bread crumb mix to suit your own palate.

Zucchini Schnitzel, Oven Baked

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large or overgrown zucchinis (the one I used was 35 cm long and 9 cm in diameter).
• 1 cup of dried breadcrumbs
• 1 cup crushed cornflake crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp spices to taste like cumin oregano, paprika, marjoram, thyme or nutmeg
• 1 egg, lightly beaten (important to bind if shallow frying) either or 1/2 cup milk for oven baking.
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup plain flour

Method:

1. Pre heat oven to 180ºC F
2. Slice zucchini into 1 cm rounds if large or alternatively if the zucchini are smaller  slice lengthwise.
3. In a bowl, crack a fresh egg and add salt and fresh ground black pepper and beat lightly with a fork
4. Add any spices you may wish to use. I have used my favourite seasoning, McCormick Chicken Seasoning, that is a mix of thyme,sage, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg,  pepper,and paprika.
5. In another bowl place the dried breadcrumbs, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and finely chopped parsley if you are using that.
6. Dredge the zucchini slices in the plain flour and shake of the excess
7. Then dip the slices in the egg or the milk and turn well to cover
8. Place the slices into the breadcrumb mix and press the mix well onto the slices, turning over and making sure they are well covered
9. If shallow frying, cook until the slices are golden carefully turning at least once
10. If oven baking, carefully transfer the prepared slices onto a tray lined with baking paper
11. Spray well with extra virgin olive oil spray
12. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes
13. Remove from oven, turn and spray the other side and cook for a further 10-15 minutes until the schnitzels are golden brown
14. Remove the schnitzels to a cooling rack for a few minutes and serve while hot to accompany other cooked vegetables and a mixed garden salad.

Growing your ingredients – Growing Zucchini