Southern Fried Squash (A Southern Staple)

Fried squash is a classic southern side dish that uses garden-fresh yellow and zucchini squash.

Yellow and zucchini squash are a staple in most any southern garden. They're also the one vegetable that's easy to grow, thrives well and is abundant during summer! Usually
by mid -late summer, 
our garden is over-flowing with all those green and yellow beauties. 

Squash is also very versatile! You can eat it fried, grilled, stuffed, baked. roasted, sauteed or even pickled. I love to add zucchini to quick breads, muffins and cakes or to use as a replacement for pasta. When it comes to southern fried squash yellow straight neck squash is my favorite (less seeds than crook neck), but I do fry zucchini squash as well. It just depends on what's ready to be picked in the garden.  

The key to great fried squash is having a good, flavorful breading that sticks and yields a crisp, outer crust. To achieve this I use equal parts of self-rising flour and cornmeal! I also use buttermilk instead of milk. 

I love the tangy flavor of buttermilk and it's also thicker than regular milk, which helps the breading stick really well. This is the time of year that you probably have more squash than you know what to do with, so if you're looking for a simple squash side dish, I hope you'll give this recipe a try. 



Yield: 4 - 6
Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen
Southern Fried Summer Squash

Southern Fried Summer Squash

Fried squash is a classic southern side dish that uses garden-fresh yellow and zucchini squash.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 4 MinTotal time: 19 Min

Ingredients

  • vegetable or canola oil for frying
  • 4 to 5 medium yellow or zucchini squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • garlic and onion powder, to taste
  • creole seasoning, to taste (optional, but so good)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup buttermilk or milk (I prefer buttermilk)
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a 1/2 inch oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until hot.
  2. Slice the squash as the oil heats up. Slice into 1/4 inch slices and set aside.
  3. Combine the eggs, buttermilk or milk and hot sauce (if using) in a small bowl, mix well.
  4. In a second bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, garlic, onion powder, creole seasoning (if using) and salt and pepper (to taste).
  5. Dip each squash slice into the egg batter then dredge into the flour mixture (shaking off any excess flour).
  6. Fry the squash slices in batches until tender and golden brown on each side (about 3-4 minutes per side).
  7. Don't let the oil get too hot, keep it at med-high heat.
  8. Let the squash brown on each side before flipping.
  9. Remove the squash with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  10. Season fried squash with additional salt and pepper, creole seasoning and hot sauce before serving.
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How to Freeze & Preserve Breaded Summer Squash for Frying:

After dipping each squash slice into the egg batter then dredge into the flour mixture (shaking off any excess flour).

Lay each slice of breaded squash onto a large baking sheet that has been lined with waxed paper or foil. 

Flash Freeze the breaded squash. When completely frozen place the pieces of breaded squash into a large Ziplock Freezer Bag. Store for up to 12 months for best results. 

To Fry Squash:  When you want to fry the breaded squash, remove from freezer and take the squash out of the bag and immediately place into a deep fryer or fry in a skillet with at least 3/4 cups of oil. Fry until golden brown. The key to having the best quality of frozen breaded squash is not to let the squash thaw out after removing from the freezer or it will be mushy.

The quality of frozen summer squash is maintained best in a very cold freezer, such as a deep freeze and one that keeps the squash frozen completely with no thawing. Make sure to release any air from inside the bags which can lead to freezer burn.  Using a vacuum sealer is best, but freezer bags will also work. 



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25 comments

Lucile Coo said…
Looks really delicious.
Unknown said…
For the squash recipe, where it calls for vegetable oil could i use olive oil instead? And do i have to use cheole seasoning, and hot sauce? Because i love Southern Fried foods? And i would love to make this squash recipe? And i was wondering if you could post Fried Green Tomatoes recipe if you have it? Please Reply back ASAP! Thank-You!
Unknown said…
Yum! I've had fried okra and fried pickles, but never fried zucchini. Sounds delicious!
Tina Butler said…
You can omit the creole seasoning (just use onion and garlic powder) any you can also omit the hot sauce. The hot sauce doesn't really add any heat just flavor. Not sure about the olive oil, but you can give it a try. Here is the recipe I have on my blog for Fried Green Tomatoes.

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/10/fried-green-tomatoes-giveaway-winner.html
Jeannette said…
I never knew that you could fry squash. I'm intrigued to try this because I like squash in it would be really good fried I bet!
Anonymous said…
If I made this recipe, I would get some ranch sauce to dip these in. They look super tasty and ready for dippin'!
Oh wow! I haven't seen fried squash in years. This is the only way my mom and grandma cooked it when I was a kid growing up in Arkansas. Of course, most veggies got breaded and fried in the South. Lol! Your recipe brings back memories and looks absolutely delicious. :)
Jelli said…
My mom used to make these growing up. I liked them, and I still love squash, but unless it's a cake my husband's not game. I'll bet my 3 kidlets would love 'em though. Thanks for the reminder. Reading your recipe took me back to my childhood!
Pretty much everything is fried in the south, eh? I just tried green tomatoes and loved em.
Unknown said…
I love any food from the south. They really know how to do food right! This sounds like a great recipe.
S. Graham said…
I literally just got back from the store with squash! I fully plan on making some fried squash!
Pam said…
I love fried squash. It's something that's on pretty much every dinner table here in the south.
Anosa said…
I have never tried fried squash before and your recipe makes it looks absolutely delicious. I have to recreate this and try for myself
chubskulit said…
I remember making this kind of dish when I had my big garden. This year,m I don't have zucchini but I would like to make this again.
Hally Heart said…
I have not tried fried squash fried, but maybe I'll give it a try! I'm more of an onion ring type of girl lol.
Anonymous said…
thanks for sharing this. We've got a garden full of squash and this looks so delicious. Adding it to the must-try roster
Debra Hawkins said…
I have loved fried squash ever since I was a little kid! It is just the perfect summer dish!
My Teen Guide said…
Southern cooking is the best! If I had the choice, I would love to live down south! Everything tastes delicious and this fried squash is just one of the many dishes I would surely enjoy.
Polarbelle said…
oooo, that sounds really good. We've gotten into the green beans, potatos, corn rut. So much so that I've forgotten about how much I love friend squash and zuccini!
Unknown said…
This looks so good!! I've been on a veggie kick and this is right up my alley.
Tina Butler said…
We've had a lot of green beans as well from our garden. We finally picked all of them and since Texas has a longer growing season, we just planted a second batch of bush beans. Everything is sprouting up again.
slither io said…
This is so fun! What a great idea. Also I love how authentic you seem to be. Your style and passion for blogging is contagious. Thank you for sharing your
slither io said…
This is so fun! What a great idea. Also I love how authentic you seem to be. Your style and passion for blogging is contagious. Thank you for sharing your life!
jm said…
I MADE these delicious fried squash today! So delicious, so easy! I followed the recipe as written. It is a really great recipe and I was surprised at how easy it is to do. My husband and son loved them as well. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I will be making them many more times!