Baked Cotija Zucchini Fries

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These baked zucchini fries with Cotija cheese are a healthier way to enjoy crispy, crunchy, veggie fries! It's also perfect for the time of year when we all start drowning in zucchini and summer squash.

Not that I should complain about zucchini, it is endlessly versatile - it's great in pasta, soup, salad, or as a substitute for carbs (like in this lasagna).

What Makes these Zucchini Fries So Good

I usually see zucchini fries with parmesan, so I decided to try them with Cotija - a hard, cow's milk cheese that originated in the town of Cotija in Mexico. It's similar to parmesan, but it's saltier and creamier.

I like salty fries, so I thought this would be a nice way to get more flavor without adding loads of table salt. I was originally concerned these fries wouldn't stay as crunchy as I wanted them to, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the panko and Cotija crisped up!

I think you'll really enjoy these fries - they'd make a perfect side dish or appetizer for a summer party or Labor Day BBQ or as a light lunch on their own.   

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What's the Best Squash to Use?

This recipe will work best with ripe, firm zucchini or summer squash. While you can get zucchini year-round in many places, it's really at its best from late June through the end of August.

On the few occasions I've had friends that have grown zucchini, it seems like you're just inundated with it in August! Usually what happens is that I get too excited at the farmer's market and buy more than we could possibly eat in a week.

The Best Seasonal Zucchini Recipes

If you find yourself with loads of zucchini to spare, here are a few great zucchini recipes:

• Couscous Salad with Zucchini, Mozzarella, and Tomatoes
• Roasted Zucchini with Yogurt, Dukkah, and Sumac
• Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles with Marinara)
• Mini Zucchini Tartlets
• Healthy Zucchini Muffins
• Zucchini and Fresh Corn Farmers’ Market Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

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How to Make Baked Zucchini Fries

1. To keep the zucchini crispy (without doing a salt and drain method before cooking), you need to use a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. I did not test cooking the zucchini directly on the baking sheet, but I believe they'll end up soggy.
2. These zucchini fries are at their best when they're warm out of the oven. Once they lose their initial warmth inside they are not nearly as yummy (I mean, we still ate and enjoyed them but they are DELISH for the first hour) and they do not reheat well. If you wanted to make these in advance and serve later, I would not recommend reheating.

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