Baked Zucchini "Fries"

I am always looking for different things to do with vegetables for a quick and easy side dish.  These are a great substitution for potatoes, and go well with grilled chicken or fish, burgers, steak..pretty much anything!  And if you are  making these as a substitution for french fries, they are good dipped in a little ketchup. 

I like to make my own whole wheat bread crumbs because I have had a hard time finding pre-packaged bread crumbs that are dairy free, and I think the home-made ones taste a lot better too!

Baked Zucchini "Fries"

Ingredients

4 organic zucchini, quartered

2 slices whole wheat bread

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 organic eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Place wheat bread in toaster and toast on medium setting; bread should be toasted enough that it is no longer soft, but crisp. Let toast cool and then break into pieces in small food processor. Grind toast pieces into small bread crumbs.

3. In small bowl, mix together bread crumbs, garlic and olive oil

4. In separate bowl, beat eggs

5. Dip zucchini in egg and then roll in bread crumb mixture

6. Place breaded zucchini on un-greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown

7. Serve and enjoy!

(Recipe adapted from doortodoororganics.com)

What are the nutritional benefits of zucchini? zucchini is a good source of  fiber and vitamins A, C and folate.