Step 1: Prep the Zucchini

1. Grate the Zucchini: Use a box grater or a food processor to finely grate the zucchini. Transfer the grated zucchini to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
2. Squeeze Out the Moisture: Zucchini holds a lot of water, so it’s essential to remove as much moisture as possible. Wrap the grated zucchini in the towel and squeeze tightly over the sink, removing as much liquid as you can. This step ensures your tots are crispy and not soggy.

Step 2: Make the Zucchini & Parmesan Tot Mixture

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the grated and squeezed zucchini, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, flour, minced garlic, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Mix Well: Stir the mixture until everything is well combined. It should hold together when pressed. If the mixture feels too wet, add a bit more flour or breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Shape the Tots

1. Form the Tots: Using your hands, take about 1 tablespoon of the zucchini mixture and shape it into a small tot or cylindrical shape, similar to a traditional tater tot. Place the formed tots onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
2. Repeat: Continue shaping the mixture into tots until all the mixture is used. You should end up with around 20-25 tots.

Step 4: Cook the Tots

You can choose to either bake or fry the tots, depending on your preference.

Baking:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the shaped tots on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray them with olive oil or cooking spray.
3. Bake for 15-18 minutes, then carefully flip the tots over and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Frying:

1. Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tots to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet.
3. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until crispy and golden brown. Transfer the fried tots to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 5: Make the Sriracha Mayo

1. Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
2. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the level of spiciness by adding more Sriracha if desired. You can also thin it out slightly with a bit of water or lemon juice if a lighter sauce is preferred.

Step 6: Serve the Tots

1. Arrange the baked or fried zucchini tots on a serving platter.
2. Serve them alongside a small bowl of the Sriracha mayo for dipping.
3. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or additional grated Parmesan for a nice finishing touch.