Lemony Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza Food

ZUCCHINI PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut each half into half moons. In a medium bowl, toss zucchini with 1 clove grated or minced garlic and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Transfer zucchini to a mesh strainer and set over the bowl. Let drain for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. Place zucchini in the middle of a double layer of paper towels. Bring the paper towels up around the zucchini, and gently squeeze to release excess moisture. Pat zucchini dry and set aside.
• Preheat an oven to 500°F, and set an oven rack in the lowest possible position. Lightly coat a pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Stretch pizza dough into a round large enough to fit the pizza pan. Very lightly drizzle the dough with olive oil, using your hands to evenly spread the oil around. Sprinkle dough with a small pinch of kosher salt. Top pizza evenly with grated mozzarella cheese, then evenly scatter 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves, prepared zucchini, lemon pieces and goat cheese over top. Sprinkle the surface of the pizza with a little kosher salt and then lightly drizzle with olive oil.
• Transfer pizza to the oven on the lowest rack and cook until the crust is golden brown (bottom and crust) and the cheese is nice and bubbly (9 - 11 minutes). Finish the pizza with a sprinkling of chives.

ZUCCHINI AND GOAT CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Place the flour, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and the butter in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse 12 to 14 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the processor running, pour the vinegar and ice water through the feed tube and continue to process and pulse until the dough just comes together. Dump out on a floured board, form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the zucchini in a colander set over a plate. Toss it with 2 teaspoons of salt and set aside for 30 minutes. Spread the zucchini out on a clean dish towel, roll it up, and squeeze gently to remove some of the liquid. Put the zucchini slices into a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. With a fork, mash together the goat cheese, thyme, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roll the dough out on a floured board to an 11-inch circle and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Spread the dough with the goat cheese mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Lay the zucchini slices in tightly overlapping circles, starting at the very edge of the pastry (the zucchini will shrink when it bakes). Continue overlapping circles of zucchini until the whole tart is covered. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the dough is golden brown. Cut in wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

LEMONY ZUCCHINI GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Roll your pizza dough into a thin 12-inch circle and lay it on a tray or stone that has been dusted lightly with cornmeal.
• In a small bowl, stir together the goat cheese with the juice of half your lemon. Season it with salt and freshly ground pepper, and spread it over your pizza dough. Scatter fresh basil slivers over the cheese.
• Arrange your zucchini coins in concentric circles over the goat cheese spread, overlapping them slightly. You can alternate their colors, if you're feeling fancy. Squeeze the juice of the second half of your lemon on top of you zucchini, then drizzle with olive oil and finish with more salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes (your baking time will vary, so please watch carefully), or until the edges of your pizza are golden brown and the zucchini looks roasted and a little curled up at the edges.

ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND LEMON PIZZA

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Lightly coat a pizza pan or stone with nonstick cooking spray and put on the rack. (If you don't have a pizza peel or a way to transfer the pizza, skip placing the pan in the oven to preheat and prepare the pizza right on the pan.)
• Toss the zucchini ribbons with 1/8 teaspoon salt and place in a colander over the sink. Let drain for 15 minutes to remove excess water. Pat the zucchini dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Toss with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, half of the zest and 1 teaspoon olive oil and set aside.
• Wrap the tomato slices in a paper towel and gently press down, removing excess water. Set aside.
• Stretch the pizza dough into a round large enough to fit on the pizza pan (or directly on the pan, if not using a pizza peel). Whisk together the ricotta, chives, remaining tablespoon lemon juice, remaining zest and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Spread the ricotta over the prepared dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Evenly scatter the tomato slices and zucchini ribbons over the ricotta. Lightly drizzle with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan and additional chives.
• Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve.

ZUCCHINI-CRUST PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and liberally spray with cooking spray.
• Grate the zucchini on the small holes of a box grater to yield about 2 cups. Place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the liquid.
• Place the zucchini in a medium bowl. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, almond meal, egg, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and press into a 10- to 11-inch round. Bake until golden brown and the edges begin to crisp up, about 15 minutes.
• Use a spatula to lift and loosen the zucchini crust from the baking mat. Place a piece of parchment on top of the crust. Cover with an inverted baking sheet and flip to invert the crust.
• Bake until golden brown with crispy edges, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Immediately top with chunks of the goat cheese so they start to soften and melt. Dollop with the pesto and top with the prosciutto and basil. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and black pepper. Cut into triangles or squares.