Gourds are in abundance during the fall months making these squash onion rings an ideal gourmet meal to enjoy during autumn or all year round. Instead of onion, the rings are made from sliced acorn squash that are breaded in shredded coconut for an added touch of sweetness.
These crispy squash rings are made using an acorn squash that is sliced into thick rings. The rings are breaded in coconut milk, breadcrumbs and shredded coconut as a healthier alternative to beer batter. The rings are then baked rather than fried for a more nutritious -- but still just as crispy -- final result. The squash remains tender and crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle making it a great finger food dish. The rings can be served alongside a barbecue greek yogurt dip if desired.
Fried Squash Rings
This Substitute to Onion Rings Uses Slice Gourd and Shredded Coconut
Trend Themes
1. Healthier Alternatives - Creating healthier alternatives to popular dishes, such as using sliced acorn squash instead of onions in onion rings, provides opportunities to cater to health-conscious consumers and tap into the growing market for nutritious options.
2. Gourmet Vegetarian Meals - Developing gourmet vegetarian meals, like these fried squash rings with shredded coconut, appeals to the increasing vegan and vegetarian consumer base and opens up a market for creative and innovative plant-based dishes.
3. Fall-inspired Flavors - Exploring fall-inspired flavors in dishes, particularly those using seasonal ingredients like gourds and coconut, enables businesses to capitalize on the demand for seasonal menu items and capture the essence of the autumn season.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - In the food and beverage industry, there is an opportunity to innovate by offering healthier options, expanding vegetarian menus, and creating seasonal dishes that cater to consumer preferences and differentiate from competitors.
2. Healthy Snacks - The healthy snacks industry can tap into the trend of creating innovative and nutritious finger foods, like these crispy squash rings, as alternatives to traditional unhealthy options, providing healthier snack choices for consumers.
3. Plant-based Cooking - The plant-based cooking industry can leverage the idea of using unconventional ingredients, such as acorn squash as a substitute for onions, to develop unique and flavorful vegetarian dishes that cater to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives.