  Parafermionic zero modes, $\mathbb{Z}_n$-symmetric generalizations of the
well-known $\mathbb{Z}_2$ Majorana zero modes, can emerge as edge states in
topologically nontrivial strongly correlated systems displaying fractionalized
excitations. In this paper, we investigate how signatures of parafermionic zero
modes can be detected by its effects on the properties of a quantum dot
tunnel-coupled to a system hosting such states. Concretely, we consider a
strongly-correlated 1D fermionic model supporting $\mathbb{Z}_4$ parafermionic
zero modes coupled to an interacting quantum dot at one of its ends. By using a
combination of density matrix renormalization group calculations and analytical
approaches, we show that the dot's zero-energy spectral function and average
occupation numbers can be used to distinguish between trivial, $\mathbb{Z}_4$
and $2\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ phases of the system. The present work opens the
prospect of using quantum dots as detection tools to probe non-trivial
topological phases in strongly correlated systems.
