Zucchini is easy to grill, cook and bake.
Zucchini, a vegetable grown in the summer, can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you're looking to make a starter salad, something to go with your barbecue, fresh vegetables to add to your pasta or even dessert, zucchini is one vegetable that's good with just about everything.
Grilled
Zucchini can be sliced and grilled right on your barbecue for a tasty summer side dish. Put your zucchini on a large piece of aluminum foil; this will not only help to cook it thoroughly, but it will also keep the seasonings in place. Slice your zucchini into thin, long strips. Sprinkle olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, even dried herbs on to the slices to season. Fold the aluminum foil around the zucchini strips, and place them right on the grill. Grill the zucchini for five minutes on each side, or until the slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Sauteed
Sauteed zucchini is great for a simple side dish, or you can add it to other vegetables like asparagus or green beans as well as pasta in an olive oil sauce. Slice up the zucchini into small bite-sized pieces. Pour about two tablespoons of olive oil into a frying pan and heat the pan to medium heat. Add your zucchini slices, fresh garlic, salt and pepper. Allow the zucchini to saute for about five to 10 minutes, or until it and the garlic are tender but not browned. Pour the entire contents of the pan over your pasta, mix with other vegetables or place into its own dish.
Grated
Fresh zucchini doesn't have to be cooked at all to be enjoyed. Instead, grate, shred or slice up a whole zucchini into very thin strips. Make yourself a large garden salad with lettuce, tomatoes, arugula, cucumbers, baby spinach, slivered carrots and any other fresh vegetable you like on your salads. Add the sliced and grated zucchini strips to the top of the salad and enjoy with your favorite dressing, cheeses, and other salad condiments.
Bread
If you have a lot of zucchini, consider making zucchini bread for a fresh and sweet treat. Mix together eggs, vegetable oil, grated zucchini, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt along with nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract for sweetness. You can add chopped walnuts or pecans, as well as dried cherries, cranberries, raisins or even chocolate chips to make the bread a little more decadent. This recipe is simple and quick (it only bakes for about 20 minutes), and with under 250 calories per serving, it's much healthier than a piece of cheesecake.
Tags: your zucchini, zucchini into, aluminum foil, five minutes, grated zucchini, other vegetables, salt pepper