Readers hip to fried zucchini

In a month or so gardeners in other parts of the country will be trying to get rid of a surfeit of zucchini, but that's one problem we don't have in the desert. Still, there's clearly a lot of interest in the squash; when Dean B. Pomerantz asked for suggestions for restaurants that serve long, thin, battered and fried zucchini, readers were all over it.

Marti Faris insists that the "absolute best fried zucchini on the planet" is served at the Omelet House, which also was suggested by Beverly Block. And here's some news: The three Omelet House locations in the valley -- 2160 W. Charleston Blvd., 4680 S. Maryland Parkway and in Henderson at 316 N. Boulder Highway -- are about to be joined by one downtown at the Plaza, 1 Main St., scheduled to open this month.

Cheer McHardy recommended Farmer Boys Restaurant at 4450 N. Lamb Blvd.; Greg Collins suggested Carraba's, which is at 8771 W. Charleston Blvd. and 10160 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson; and Andrea McShane recommended Jerry's Famous Coffee Shop at Jerry's Nugget, 1821 Las Vegas Blvd. North in North Las Vegas. ...

For Kathy Noetzel, Sandy Stolberg e-mailed that original-flavor Open Pit Barbecue Sauce still can be found at the Smart & Final at 8485 W. Sahara Ave., and Jan Bingham suggested www. HardToFindGrocer.com. ...

For Darlene Gerson, Jan Visser and Aaron Mantz noted that peppermint ice cream is a winter holidays seasonal item in local supermarkets, while Janet McFarland suggested Baskin-Robbins. And Sandra Pollock noted that Danielle's Chocolates and Ice Cream, 6394 W. Sahara Ave., makes its own. ...

For the chicken and dumplings that Gerson also is looking for, Pollock and Debbie Caponera recommended Lou's Diner at 415 S. Decatur Blvd. ...

And for the Cape Cod Robust Russet Potato Chips Gerson is after, Janeen Maxwell e-mailed that they can be ordered at www.CapeCodChips.com. ...

Reader requests: Connie Hannon is looking for suggestions for the best gelato in town. ...

Richard O'Connor is looking for restaurants that serve fried chicken livers. ...

Douglas Alexander is looking for grape drink syrup, for making snow cones. ...

Keith Bell is looking for whole country hams, fig preserves and dill potato chips. ...

Brad Walker is looking for Cuban meat pies. ...

Genny Mangeri is looking for Simon Fisher Lekvar Prune Butter for making Hamantaschen cookies, and a good Italian butcher. ...

Pete Mello is looking for Grandma's Molasses Taffy. ...

Stephanie Sonne is looking for a bakery or store that bakes a devil's food pistachio-nut cake, similar to that made by Heinemann's Bakery in Chicago. ...

George Oliver is looking for Swedish lima bread. ...

And Marilyn Samperisi is looking for frozen gnocchi, which she used to get at Smith's.

Readers?

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