Love to eat zucchini? Basically, zucchini, which is also known as zucchini, is a very delicious vegetable to be used as a side dish with rice. Do you find it difficult to process it? Zukini can actually be roasted to produce a texture that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with a very delicious taste. After all, zucchini is a type of vegetable with a neutral taste and texture, so it is very easy to create a variety of dishes. What are you waiting for? Come on, read this article to find a variety of delicious and easy zucchini recipes!
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Method 1 of 3: Practicing the Basic Baked Zucchini Recipe
Step 1. Heat the grill
To make a delicious plate of grilled zucchini, make sure the grill's temperature is really high, or at least medium. The hotter the roasting temperature, the more obvious traces of grill will be on the surface of the zucchini. However, because zucchini burns very easily, it's best to use medium heat. After all, zucchini can always be re-baked if the texture or taste is still not to your liking.
- Heating the grill is not difficult. If using a gas grill, simply turn on the grill until the gas stream hits the lighter. Then, cover the grill and let it sit until it is really hot. Meanwhile, if you're using a charcoal grill, simply burn the charcoal until it releases ashes and an orange flame.
- While waiting for the grill to heat up, feel free to prepare something else. For example, you can set the table, cook another meal, or start chopping the zucchini.
Step 2. Slice the zucchini
The key to making delicious roasted zucchini is to slice them thin. If the slices are too thick, chances are that the zucchini will be scorched on the outside but still raw on the inside. Therefore, don't forget to cut the zucchini into rounds, dice, wedges, or even thin sheets!
- Slices of zucchini are round with a thickness of 0.5-1 cm. This is the easiest method to practice. Zukini cut into this standard shape is delicious without any additives.
- Cut the zucchini into 0.5-1 cm thickness. Delicious thick chunks of zucchini for making kebabs.
- Cut the zucchini into wedges. Long, thin slices of wedges will make it easier for the zucchini to cook on the grill. Specifically, cut the zucchini into eight equal sizes.
- Slice each piece of squash into long, thin sheets. Specifically, slice the zucchini lengthwise into thin longitudinal sheets about 0.2 cm thick. Although it requires a firm and steady hand grip, zucchini sliced in this way is delicious processed into "mini wraps" and filled with various other ingredients.
Step 3. Coat the surface of the zucchini with oil
Once the zucchini is chopped, immediately transfer it to a bowl. Then, pour 1 tbsp. Add oil to each one of the zucchini and stir the zucchini until the entire surface is covered with oil. Adding oil can add flavor to the zucchini, make it easier to cook, and prevent it from sticking to the grill bars when cooking.
Olive oil has the most appropriate taste to use. However, this type of oil has a low smoke point so it will start to smoke when heated to a high temperature. So if you're concerned about being exposed to the extra smoke from the grill, try choosing an oil with a higher smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil
Step 4. Bake the zucchini for 2 minutes
Use tongs to scoop out the zucchini slices and place them one at a time on the grill. Supposedly, a very strong hissing sound will be heard when the zucchini comes into contact with the hot grill bars. Bake one side of the zucchini for 2 minutes without interruption.
- If the zucchini slices aren't too thick, try placing them at a 90-degree angle so they don't fall to the bottom of the grill.
- If you're worried about the zucchini sticking to the grill bars, grease the grill bars with oil with a meat brush or kitchen paper before using.
Step 5. Flip the zucchini and roast the other side for 2 minutes
After a few minutes of baking, the side of the zucchini that is in contact with the grill should soften and brown. When this condition is reached, flip the zucchini and roast the raw side for 1-2 minutes. Repeat the process as often as necessary until the zucchini is completely soft and the entire surface is browned.
To make sure all the zucchini slices are fully cooked, try flipping them in the order the zucchini was placed on the grill. Thus, surely all sides of the zucchini will ripen perfectly in relatively the same duration
Step 6. Season and serve the zucchini
Once all sides of the zucchini are cooked, immediately transfer them to a serving plate. Let the zucchini cool down, then sprinkle the surface with your favorite seasonings. Serve delicious grilled zucchini while warm!
- Actually, there is no seasoning that is the most "suitable" to use. However, if you're looking for a spice mix that has the potential to be greater for everyone to like, simply season the zucchini with a mix of freshly ground salt and black pepper. Another equally delicious option is to use salt with a mixture of garlic powder and cajun seasoning!
- Make this recipe a delicious and easy-to-make low-carb side dish!
Method 2 of 3: Modifying the Zukini Recipe
Step 1. Soak the zucchini in a vinaigrette vinegar solution to enrich the taste
Tired of eating zucchini with a taste that's just like that? Try soaking them in a rich, flavorful marinade before grilling them! The trick, simply mix a little vegetable oil with your favorite acid, such as vinegar or citrus fruit juice. Add your favorite spices and soak the zucchini slices in it before baking.
- For example, mix 60 ml of balsamic vinegar with 120 ml of olive oil. Then, add a few pinches of garlic powder and a spoonful of the dried rosemary, basil, and oregano mixture. If you don't have all three, feel free to use any other spices you have. Pour the vinegar solution into an airtight container, then soak the zucchini in the solution for a few hours before baking.
- If you have limited time, there's no need to soak the zucchini in the marinade. Instead, simply coat each zucchini with 60 ml of lettuce vinaigrette sauce and grill them right away.
Step 2. Make a sauce from the lemon and garlic mixture to make a plate of savory zucchini
Basically, the neutral taste of the zucchini blends perfectly with the sour citrus fruits, savory garlic flavors and rich buttery flavours. That's why the sauce made from a mixture of lemon and garlic is delicious to serve with grilled zucchini. In particular, apply the sauce to the surface of the zucchini instead of oil before baking.
Melt stick of butter in 2 tbsp. lemon juice. Then, add 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1 tsp. dry oregano into it. If available, add a pinch of curry powder to enrich the sauce. Apply the sauce to the surface of the zucchini and immediately roast the zucchini as usual
Step 3. Sprinkle the surface of the zucchini with a mixture of salt and grated citrus rind to make a dish that is both savory and sour
Want to enrich the taste of roasted zucchini? Try making a salt mixture with grated citrus fruit peels, such as lemons, limes, or oranges, then sprinkling them over the zucchini just before serving.
Cook the zucchini as usual, then set aside until it's time to eat. While waiting for the zucchini to cool, take 3 lemons and use a fine grater to grate the lemon zest on a cutting board. Then, mix the grated fruit peel with 1 tsp. salt and use a knife to finely chop while mixing the two ingredients together. Immediately sprinkle a mixture of salt and grated fruit peel onto the surface of the zucchini, then serve the zucchini while warm. If you leave it for too long, it is feared that the salt will start to melt
Step 4. Serve the zucchini with pesto sauce
Although delicious eaten without any additives, zucchini is also delicious paired with pesto sauce to make it more filling when eaten. For example, you can dip the zucchini in the pesto sauce before eating or slice it thinly and use it to wrap the pesto sauce.
Cook the zucchini as usual. While waiting for the zucchini to cook, combine 20 grams of basil, 1 clove of garlic, 120 ml of olive oil, and 30 grams of pine nuts or walnuts in a blender. Process all ingredients until well mixed. Then, gradually add the grated parmesan cheese while continuing to process until a thick and rich pesto sauce is formed. Serve the pesto sauce as a dip or zucchini filling
Step 5. Make zucchini kebabs for a unique and delicious zucchini variant
Grilling zucchini with or without other ingredients using a skewer will result in a plate of snacks that are not only delicious, but also interesting to eat. In fact, zucchini is delicious paired with most of the ingredients commonly baked. Therefore, feel free to make zucchini kebabs with a mixture of your favorite ingredients available in your home kitchen. Some of the delicious ingredients paired with zucchini kebabs are:
- Vegetables: Summer squash, peppers, chopped onions, mushrooms
- Meat: Chicken, lamb, pork, beef
Step 6. Melt the parmesan cheese on top of the zucchini to enrich the taste
In fact, the savory parmesan cheese will blend perfectly with the more neutral taste of the zucchini. When served with melted cheese, you will get a crunchy and crunchy texture at the base of the zucchini and a soft, rich texture on the surface. Read the full instructions below.
To make zucchini with parmesan cheese mixture, first cut the zucchini into thin, wide slices. Then, coat the surface of the zucchini slices with oil and arrange on the grill as usual. Gently sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over each slice of zucchini, then cover the grill and cook the zucchini for 2-3 minutes. When the zucchini has softened and the cheese on the surface has melted, remove it from the grill immediately. There's no need to flip the zucchini while it's cooking
Step 7. Grill the zucchini and other vegetables in a grill basket for a healthy side dish
Want to roast different types of vegetables at the same time? One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a grill basket, which resembles a small metal “cage” holding on to. Generally, grill baskets are sold as additional tools for grilling food. To use it, all you need to do is fill the roasting basket with various types of vegetables, then roast the vegetables at a very high temperature until all the flavors are combined perfectly, while the surface looks crisp and blackened. By doing so, you can use the main grill to cook meat or other dishes.
- Before placing in the roasting basket, cut the vegetables into even-sized pieces, then coat the surface with olive oil. After that, season the vegetables with your favorite spices (rosemary and garlic powder are perfect options), then stir the vegetables until the spices are evenly distributed. Then, put the vegetables in a basket and place them on a hot grill surface.
- Don't have a toaster basket? For a similar effect, try putting the vegetables in a bag made of aluminum foil.
Method 3 of 3: Choosing Good Quality Zucchini
Step 1. Look for small to medium sized zucchini
Understand that large zucchini are actually not suitable for roasting because the larger the zucchini, the more bland it will taste. In addition, large zucchini will generally be more juicy than smaller zucchini. Therefore, always use small to medium sized zucchini for roasting.
Ideally, don't choose a zucchini that is larger than a handheld flashlight. In particular, the taste of the zucchini begins to decrease when it reaches 15-20 cm in length
Step 2. Look for brightly colored zucchini
Did you know that not all zucchini is green? In fact, fully ripe zucchini can be green, yellow, or even white. Whatever type of zucchini you find, make sure it looks really bright and striking.
On the other hand, it's likely that the ones that look wilted are more likely to be overcooked and therefore less palatable to grilling
Step 3. Look for zucchini with a smooth surface and a firm texture
Ideally, zucchini that are cooked and ready to roast should feel firm and not runny to the touch. However, make sure the zucchini texture is not too hard and still provides some resistance when pressed. Before buying zucchini, first feel the surface to make sure there are no nicks, scratches, and/or other defects. If the surface isn't completely smooth, try another zucchini.
Good quality zucchini has a very fine and light "fur" on the surface. You should be able to feel the fur if you touch the surface of the zucchini with the back of your hand
Step 4. Store the zucchini in the refrigerator for about a week
Basically, good quality zucchini can last for about a week in the refrigerator. If possible, pack the zucchini in a paper bag instead of a plastic one. Airtight plastic can trap moisture and, therefore, run the risk of making the zucchini runny or rotten quickly.
Zukin that has been packaged in an airtight container can also be stored in the freezer for one month. However, if you want to store zucchini in the freezer, try wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap or packing it in a plastic clip bag. Previously, briefly soak the zucchini in boiling water so that the color and texture do not change when frozen
Tips
- If you use the same grill to cook the meat, do not let the zucchini come into contact with the raw meat. If they come into contact, roast the zucchini longer to kill any bacteria that sticks to the surface.
- Delicious zucchini served with yellow summer squash. In fact, these two types of vegetables even have a kinship because zucchini is a type of pumpkin plant. That's why, the taste of both tends to be similar.
