Zucchini And Summer Squash Gratin With Parmesan And Fresh Thyme Food

ZUCCHINI AND SUMMER SQUASH GRATIN WITH PARMESAN AND FRESH THYME

Steps:

• To cook the onions: In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until limp and golden brown, about 20 minute Reduce the heat to medium-low if they're browning too quickly.
• Add the garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Spread the onions and garlic evenly in the bottom of an oiled 2-quart shallow gratin dish (preferably oval).
• Let cool.
• To assemble the gratin: Heat the oven to 375°F.
• Put the tomato slices on a shallow plate to drain for a few minutes and then discard the collected juices.
• In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini and squash slices with 1-1/2 Tbsp of the olive oil, 2 Tbsp of the thyme, and 1/2 teaspoons of the salt.
• Reserve half of the cheese for the top of the gratin.
• Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of the thyme over the onions in the gratin.
• Starting at one end of the baking dish, lay a row of slightly overlapping tomato slices across the width of the dish and sprinkle with a little of the cheese.
• Next, lay a row of zucchini, overlapping the tomatoes by two-thirds, and sprinkle with cheese.
• Repeat with a row of squash, and then repeat rows, sprinkling each with cheese, until the gratin is full.
• Season lightly with pepper and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt.
• Drizzle the remaining 1-1/2 Tbsp olive oil over all.
• Combine the reserved cheese with the remaining 1 Tbsp thyme and sprinkle this over the whole gratin.
• Cook until well-browned all over and the juices have bubbled for a while and reduced considerably, 65 to 70 minutes.
• Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

ZUCCHINI AND SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with 1/2 tablespoon butter.
• Heat the olive oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, and black pepper and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the squash and zucchini and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Stir in the thyme and remove from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to the prepared baking dish, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Combine the eggs and cream in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. Gradually whisk the reserved cooking liquid into the egg mixture. When all the cooking liquid is incorporated, pour the mixture over the vegetables in the baking dish. Using a spoon, gently shift the vegetables around so the egg mixture is evenly distributed. Bake until the mixture sets, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle first with the crackers and then with the Parmesan, if using, and return to the oven. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

ZUCCHINI AND YELLOW SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; add zucchini, yellow squash, shallots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini and squash are crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add cream, and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; stir in 1/2 cup panko and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Spoon mixture into a shallow 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining panko and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Bake until top is golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

SUMMER VEGETABLE GRATIN

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400 degree. Brush 13- by 9-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon oil; set aside.
• Toss zucchini and squash slices with 1 teaspon salt in large bowl; transfer to colander set over bowl. Let stand until zuccchini and squash release at least 3 tablespoons of liquid, about 45 minutes. Arrange slices on triple layer paper towels; cover with another triple layer paper towels and firmly press each slice to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Meanwhile, place tomato slices in single layer on double layer paper towels and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; let stand 30 minutes. Place second doube layer paper towels on top of tomatoes and press firmly to dry.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened and dark golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
• Combine garlic, 2 teaspoons oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper and thyme in small bowl. In large bowl, toss zucchini and squash in half of oil mixture, then arrange in greased baking dish. Arrange caramelized onions in even layer over squash. Slightly overlap tomato slices in single layer on top of onions, Spoon remaining garlic-oil mixture evenly over tomatoes. Bake until vegetables are tender and tomatoes are starting to brown on edges, 40-45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, process bread in food processor or belender until finely ground (about 10 seconds). You should have about 1 cup crumbs. Combine bread crumbs, remaining teaspoon oil, parmesan and shallots in medium bowl. Remove baking dish from oven and increase heat to 450 degrees. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly on top of tomatoes. Bake until bubbling and cheese is lightly browned, 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and let sit at room temperature 10 minutes before serving.