• prep: 30 min
• cook: 1 hr
• total: 1 hr 30 min

servings:

Fried zucchini is a classic snack, but watch what happens when it's amped up with smoky bacon and spicy jalapeño. The fragrant, floral basil dipping sauce is a terrific complement to the tender, light zucchini bites, filling your mouth with the scent of summer. (Editors' note: This recipe is solely the creation of Andrea Albin and has not been formally tested by the test kitchen.)

• 1 cup basil
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• About 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 3 medium zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 fresh jalapeño, stemmed and minced (including seeds)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 6 slices crisp-cooked bacon, finely chopped
• A deep-fat thermometer

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