Sourdough Starter Tempura Style Zucchini Sticks & “Ranch” Dip
Hungry for some junk food but want to skip the “junk” part? Are you looking for another way to use the discard from that sourdough starter you’ve been cultivating? Or do you just plain have WAY too much zucchini? ‘Tis the season, I know! Well, you’re in for a treat! Sourdough starter tempura-style zucchini sticks and “ranch” dip made from pureed zucchini. I got you!
It turns out sourdough starter discard makes for a delicious tempura-style batter! Crispy outside, not heavy or too greasy, just wonderful. Just add the following to your discard to make the batter: a little bit of baking soda to get a bit of fizz and a generous pinch of salt for taste—Preheat a deep-sided pot with a couple of inches of frying fat or oil up to 360 degrees. As for what fat to use, Lard, as ya’ll know, is, of course, my pick! Use a deep fry or candy thermometer clipped to the side of your pot to monitor your fat’s temperature and avoid burning or smoking. Coat your zucchini sticks in the batter, then gently drop the pieces into your pot, turning a time or two if needed. Take them out when you see that gorgeous golden brown, which should only take a couple of minutes.
For the dip, I improvised a tad. I read that pureed zucchini could be used instead of dairy in baked goods. So, I wondered if I could turn it into a mock “ranch” dip in the same way. That’s a big ‘ole YES!
I added the following to a medium-ish pureed zucchini (I left the skin on hence the greenish tint, but you could peel if you wanted): Buttermilk powder, lemon juice, salt, garlic, parsley. Tasting and adding more as I went if needed. Dill would be another great option, and I didn’t have any at that moment. It definitely did the finger-licking trick as a stand-in “ranch” dip, and now I’m thinking I can make any number of creamy dipping sauces with pureed zucchini and the right spices..we shall see! There’s always room for experimentation in the kitchen, and I do love it when a good “use what ya got” recipe turns out!
Enjoy!
– Big Sage Bear
BTA: @amelia.ameliorate
