Summer cooking idea

[LoboGunLeather]

We enjoy all the fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer and fall, but occasionally we can fall into the rut of fresh corn on the cob, fresh green beans, and other goodies that are so easily available for a few months.

One of my personal favorites over the years has been fresh zucchini squash. I'm not talking about the giant squash that look like something from a science fiction movie, but new young zucchini about 10" or so in length and maybe 1.5" diameter. A quick and easy side dish can be made as follows:

1. Couple of fresh young zucchini, washed, ends cut off, then quartered lengthwise and cut into finger-length pieces.

2. In a prep bowl put a couple tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with garlic salt, a heaping tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese, and a teaspoon of minced oregano. Add the cut zucchini and toss to coat with oil and spices.

3. Place the zucchini in a shallow covered baking dish, then into a pre-heated oven at 350F for 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Makes a nice fresh side dish with steaks, chicken, or fish. Serves 4. Prep time about 5 minutes. Cost per serving is next to nothing, maybe 25 cents. Any leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.

Variations:

A. To the cut zucchini add some thin-sliced bell pepper, then cook as described. Add a few sliced fresh mushrooms if you like.

B. Prepare as described, then place on a bed of prepared spaghetti or linguini and smother with red spaghetti sauce (marinara-style, I like basil and oregano). Very nice light meal in hot weather!

C. Instead of oven preparation, put the prepped zucchini in aluminum foil folded snugly, then on the top rack of the grill while cooking steaks or chicken. About 15 minutes maximum, then peel open the foil and serve on the plates with your main course.

My mind tends to linger on food at times. Hope I haven't bored anyone too much.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, Lobo. That sounds simple, and dang tasty!

 

[Chukar60]

My wife usually grows too many zucchini just like everybody else.
We have become very fond of the larger ones, sliced about a 1/4" thick, salt lightly, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Grill them with a slice of fresh home grown tomato and a bit of mozzarella (sp?) cheese until the cheese is just starting to melt.
I can eat a couple plates of those and never touch the main course for dinner.

 

[sureshotbob]

Thanks Lobo all the recipes sound good I think if the rain holds off this afternoon I'll fire up the grill and try the last one with a couple of porterhouse steaks.
My wife makes a very good zucchini vegtable soup she starts with 2 sticks of butter adds onion and garlic then cooks till they are clear. She then adds stewed tomatoes ,chicken broth, carrots and green beans she adds the zucchini and bow tie pasta at the last 15 minutes.

 

[armenius]

My favorite is mid size zucchini split in halves,scoop insides to make a "boat".Take the inside you scooped out and chop.Add chopped onion , ground venison or hamburger, raw egg, salt and pepper,and dash of nutmeg.Place mixture in zucchini boats and bake in oven.
Easy and delicious meal.Feel free to add Worcestershire or other sauce if desired.Beyond thebasics, you are on your own! Enjoy.

 

[mtgianni]

The zucchini, halved as you described, is also great thrown on the grill.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Thank you for the recipes.

 

[sureshotbob]

Well the rain held off long enough tonight and I did fire up the grill.
I kind of used Lobo's receipe . I did the olive oil cut the zucchini as Lobo said but I also cut up a red bell pepper sliced a onion and some sliced fresh mushrooms added the grated parmesan and romano cheese with a dash of garlic powder . I wrapped it in tin foil and put it on the grill while the 2" thick porter house steaks dry rubbed with McCormick Montreal steak rub and left in the refrigerator for a couple of days cooked till medium rare about 20 minutes or so and finished at the end with some wet barbeque sauce.
My wife really liked the meal. Like they say a happy Wife makes a happy life.

 

[292]

Great recipes. The way we do it is to drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle with a spice mixture called Salad Supreme. I grill the zucchini before the steaks and transfer to a stainless steel bowl. The bowl sits of top of the grill while the meat cooks. Just don't set the bowl on a plastic table top while tending the steaks (ask me how I know).

 

[IAMSWUTIAMS]

I planted just one Zucchini plant this year, and I've got zucchini coming out my ears. So I appreciate the recipes. I am also getting the biggest Zucchinis I've ever seen. Try 16" long with 3" diameter. One Zucchini makes a meal for two.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

 

[joeintexas]

Well now you guys have gone and done it. I read this thread to the Mrs. I am now instructed to head to Sams Club for steak, zucchini, bell pepper and mushrooms. I was really looking forward to mowing the lawn and pulling weeds.

 

[mtgianni]

I planted just one Zucchini plant this year, and I've got zucchini coming out my ears. So I appreciate the recipes. I am also getting the biggest Zucchinis I've ever seen. Try 16" long with 3" diameter. One Zucchini makes a meal for two.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

That size seeded and stuffed with burger, rice egg mix is probably best. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

 

[sureshotbob]

I planted just one Zucchini plant this year, and I've got zucchini coming out my ears. So I appreciate the recipes. I am also getting the biggest Zucchinis I've ever seen. Try 16" long with 3" diameter. One Zucchini makes a meal for two.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

I try to pick zucchini or yellow summer squash when the are small but when the zucchini get big my wife will make zucchini bread and it go's pretty fast around here.

 

[IAMSWUTIAMS]

I try to pick zucchini or yellow summer squash when the are small but when the zucchini get big my wife will make zucchini bread and it go's pretty fast around here.

We also grow avocados. The wife will substitute the oil with avocado for her zucchini bread. Trying to make it "healthy".

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I grill lots of squash in the summer. Hate squash bugs!