Jun 23rd, 2010
“If it’s edible, fry it.”
Several months ago, a group of friends started discussing various deep-fried oddities and our mutual love of deep-fried foods. (Me, personally, I think “the deep-fried group” should be on the FDA pyramid, right next to “the cheese group” and “the chocolate group.”) One thing led to another, and before we know it we were planning National Fry Day. Our motto: “If it’s edible, fry it.” Indeed.
One person graciously offered to host the event, which took place last Saturday. The oil was hot at 5 p.m., and although all participants also brought tasty non-fryable fare (e.g., salads, dips) to share and, ideally, make us all feel a little less guilty about the damage we were about to do to our hearts and GI systems, the deep-fried food won the popularity contest hands-down.
There were a few “pedestrian” dishes–that is, the sort of stuff you usually see deep fried, like samosas and sliced potatoes. They were good, but what interested me most were the things that one doesn’t often get to sample in battered and deep-fried form.
The list included:
- bacon weave stuffed with sausage and cheese
- fake bacon weave stuffed with fake sausage and cheese (a.k.a., “the facon weave”)
- olives stuffed with Monterey Jack
- olives stuffed with habanero cheddar
- mac and cheese
- Scotch eggs
- Scotch eggs without sausage
- Bacon-wrapped jalapenos
- Tandoori chicken
- Twinkies
- Butterscotch Krimpets (Tastykake is a Philly company)
- cake icing
- cake batter
- Snickers (of course!)
I’ve probably forgotten to mention several things that made their way into one of the deep fryers. I ate so much fried food that I think I slid into a brief food coma and missed some of the action. One thing I didn’t fail to notice was that a surprisingly large portion of the food that got fried was vegetarian friendly…though I suspect that after a trip to a deep fryer, much of this stuff probably wasn’t too friendly to anyone.
I am already starting to draw up a list of new stuff to deep fry. I hope we do another party like this. Maybe not until next summer, though–I think my body needs some time to recover from this one.
11 Responses to ““If it’s edible, fry it.””
Daylily blossoms and squash blossoms.
I think the title of your post is also the motto of the Minnesota State Fair.
Sounds like fun. Did you deep fry pickles?
@Imperatrix: I may have to put those on next year’s list! I’ve never tried either. I didn’t know daylily blossoms (of which I have an abundance) were edible. And whenever I see squash blossoms on my plants (mine haven’t arrived yet–maybe in a couple of weeks), I’ve always been hesitant to sacrifice future squash. Do you use any particular stuffing for yours?
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@Chris: Seriously? Why the hell am I still living in Pennsylvania, then?!
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@Katie: There were deep-fried pickles present. Most people thought they were great, but I (being militantly anti-pickle except for one particular type) did not try them. I did, however, try one of the deep-fried olives, despite being militantly anti-olive as well. It was awful.
I hate daylilies, so any way to get rid of those things is a good way, IMO. And you are hesitant to sacrifice squash flowers??? Are your squashes not of the keep-producing-so-damn-much-your-neighbors-stop-looking-you-in-the-eye variety? I bet you could give up a few (on zucchinis, not pumpkins, of course!).
We didn’t stuff them, just dipped them in a tempura-type batter and fried them.
Oh my! What fun this sounds. I think my arteries are clogging just reading about all that went into the fryer. Yum!
Next time (assuming your arteries make it–haha), try deep fried grilled cheese! One of my “state fair” favorites. :-)
Very interesting. I have been wondering about deep fried pickles
@Imperatrix: This is the first year we’ve grown squash after an eight-year hiatus, so I think my subconscious has totally blocked my active access to that part of my brain that remembers just how much squash one plant can produce. :)
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@Shannah: I will add it to the list! It’s going right next “deep-fried (fake)chicken sandwich with two Krispy Kreme donuts as buns.” Seriously–that IS already on the list for next year.
I’m gonna work with L on the cake batter; I’m convinced that it’s fryable with more prep.
The highlight for me was the Krimpets and the Snickers, but the bacon weave sure wasn’t bad.
I think White Castle sliders or McDonald’s cheeseburgers deserve to be fried next time, too. And I’m deeply disappointed that you and the hosts seems to equate “next time” with “next year.” Surely the Natl Fry Assoc considers every day to be Natl Fry Day! :-)
@One Tall Rob: Well, the hosts and I tried to define “next time” as “next month,” but our GI tracts overruled us.