My Mum actually got one. Her comments while eating it were "It's OK but the zucchini isn't cooked enough" and she missed the BBQ flavor grilling (our preferred hot dog cooking method) gives the hot dog. She also got a mean case of heartburn from it thanks to the greasy batter and deep frying. Mum's verdict: not something she'd get again especially without a roll of Tums.
So we went home and I got to thinking I really liked the idea of the zucchini and hot dog together. Let's try and make a version that addresses the things my Mum didn't like about the Fair's Zucchini Weenie and something weight loss surgery friendly so I can have it too. Here's my spin on it...
Shelly's Zucchini Weenies
Small Zucchinis
Hot Dogs
Olive Oil
Cut hot dogs and zucchinis lengthwise. Set hot dogs aside. With a melon baller or teaspoon carefully scrape out some of the fleshy part of the inside the zucchini. You are making a zucchini canoe basically.
Place 1/2 a hot dog in each hollowed out zucchini half. 
Brush with olive oil and place on the BBQ. Grill about 5 minutes per side with the lid down for 1/2 the cooking time. 
In the last minute or so you can add a slice of cheese if you want to make a Cheesy Zucchini Weenie or for fun use a squirt of that Easy Cheese spray cheese in a can stuff.Verdict on my Zucchini Weenie: Two thumbs up from Mum and a yum from this post-op!
Hot Dog 411:
July is National Hot Dog Month
Americans consume 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July
The most popular hot dog topping is mustard
The world record for eating hot dogs is 53 1/2 Nathan's Hot Dogs and buns in 12 minutes by Takeru Kobayashi
Some Healthier Hot Dog options...
HEBREW NATIONAL KOSHER 97 PERCENT FAT-FREE BEEF FRANKS
45 calories, 3g carbs, 6g protein, 1.5g fat
BALL PARK FAT-FREE BEEF FRANKS
55 calories, 7g carbs, 6g protein, zero fat
OSCAR MAYER LIGHT BEEF FRANKS
90 calories, 2g carbs, 5g protein, 6g fat
BOAR'S HEAD BRAND LITE BEEF FRANKFURTERS
90 calories, zero carbs, 7g protein, 6g fat
a few more calories but nom nom nom...
APPLEGATE FARMS GREAT ORGANIC HOT DOG
110 calories, zero carbs, 7g protein, 8g fat
COLEMAN NATURAL BEEF HOT DOG (my fav)
170 calories, 1g carbs, 6g protein, 6g fat
and for the vegetarians...
SMART DELI JUMBOS SOY DOGS
80 calories, 3g carbs, 17g protein, zero fat
BBQing again tonight throwing a couple of steaks on the grill and making a yummy side dish experiment. We'll see if it's blog worthy ;) Then local fireworks and I always tune into Pops Goes the 4th! One of these days I'd love to go to that.
Happy & safe 4th of July everyone! God Bless America! Make today your own personal Independence Day and eliminate something negative in your life!
