Zucchini Italian Style Food

ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a small baking dish with foil. Scoop out the seeds from the zucchini, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell.
• Combine the ricotta, 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend, the parsley, capicola and lemon zest and juice in a medium bowl. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper, then fill with the ricotta mixture.
• Drizzle each zucchini half with about 1 tablespoon marinara sauce, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend. Transfer to the baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

VEGETABLE CASSEROLE, ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Sauté the onion, celery and garlic in the oil until they are soft. Add the zucchini, tomatoes and green pepper, and brown them lightly. Season with salt and pepper. Place the vegetable mixture with all of the juices in a casserole dish, and sprinkle the top with the crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• 1. Heat evoo in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add onion and sauté 2 minutes. 3. Add zucchini, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 3 minutes. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Recipe courtesy of Quick & Kosher: Recipes from the Bride Who Knew Nothing by Jamie Geller (Feldheim 2007). Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now for Jamie Geller's Weekly Newsletter.

ITALIAN BAKED ZUCCHINI SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine zucchini slices and olive oil in a large bowl and toss to coat well.
• Mix Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, oregano, salt, and pepper in a second bowl or shallow dish. Dip oiled zucchini into bread crumb mixture and arrange close together on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, turning after 20 minutes so they brown evenly.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI SAUTE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until tender. Mix in tomatoes with juice and zucchini. Season with Italian seasoning and salt. Cook and stir until zucchini is tender. Mix in sugar and adjust seasonings to taste.

ITALIAN STYLE SKILLET ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices.
• In large skillet over medium hi cook zucchini and onion in oil for 2 to 3 minutes stirring until just beginning to brown.
• Add stock; Reduce heat and simmer 4 to 5 minutes or until evaporated and zucchini is tender crisp.
• In medium bowl combine tomatoes basil garlic and pepper; stir in zucchini and heat for 1 minute.
• Sprinkle with cheese.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• In a greased 2-1/2-qt. casserole, layer on-third of the zucchini, onion and tomatoes. Squeeze one lemon quarter over all. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Repeat layers. Dot with butter. Squeeze remaining lemon over all. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender. Serve immediately.

ZUCCHINE SOTT'OLIO (ZUCCHINI PRESERVED IN OIL WITH HOT PEPPERS, GARLIC, AND MINT)

Steps:

• Cut the zucchini crosswise into 3-inch (8-centimeter) pieces. Cut each piece in half lengthwise, then cut out all the seeds and spongy pulp from the center. Slice each section crosswise 3?16 inch (41/2 millimeters) thick. (A mandoline or other manual vegetable slicer is helpful for this.)
• Make layers of sliced zucchini and salt in a large bowl, then toss well. Macerate for 12 hours to draw the water out of the zucchini. Drain the zucchini, then squeeze a handful at a time to remove excess water.
• Place the zucchini in a heavy nonreactive pot and add the vinegar and 1 cup (250 milliliters) water. The liquid should barely cover the zucchini.
• Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir to redistribute the zucchini, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the zucchini slices are cooked through but still whole, about 5 minutes. Do not allow them to break apart. Smaller zucchini will take less time.
• Drain the zucchini and put them in a large colander. Top them with a heavy weight, such as a pot filled with water, to squeeze out the liquid. Let the zucchini drain under the weight for 15 minutes.
• Lay several clean kitchen towels on a table covered with cardboard. Arrange the zucchini slices on the towels, spreading the slices apart. Let dry at room temperature until they feel a little leathery and are no longer damp, 24 to 48 hours. They will shrivel considerably.
• Place the zucchini in a bowl and toss with the mint, garlic, hot peppers, and the 1/2 cup (125 milliliters) olive oil. Taste for salt and let the mixture marinate at room temperature for a day.
• Transfer the zucchini to a 1-pint (1/2-liter) glass jar. Pack them in tightly, pushing them down with a fork or spoon to remove any air gaps. Top with olive oil so they are completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 weeks before sampling to give the zucchini time to absorb the seasonings.
• Bring them out of the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to serve them to allow the oil to liquefy. Return any leftover zucchini to the refrigerator, topping with oil so the zucchini remain completely submerged. If kept submerged in olive oil and refrigerated, the zucchini will last for up to 6 months.

EASY SAUTEED ZUCCHINI RECIPE

Steps:

• Start by slicing the zucchini into 1/4 inch rounds or even thinner, set aside
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan until medium, not super hot
• Crush some garlic (don't mince), and add to the olive oil, stirring a bit and don't let it burn
• When the garlic is fragrant, it's time to add the zucchini slices in
• Spread the zucchini out and move them around periodically, they'll shrink a bit as water is released.
• When done to your liking (I like mine slightly firm not mushy), remove from heat
• Serve with some pasta, fresh salad or fresh italian bread!

EASY ITALIAN TOMATO ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Set oven to 375°F.
• Butter a 3-quart casserole dish.
• Place the sliced zucchini evenly in the bottom of the buttered baking dish.
• Sprinkle about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the zucchini.
• In a frypan, sauté onions and garlic in oil and butter until just lightly browned and tender.
• Add in tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano and vinegar; heat until boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes.
• Pour the tomato mixture over the zucchini.
• Sprinkle with more grated parmesan cheese.
• Bake for about 30 minutes.
• *NOTE* 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese may be sprinkled on top the last 10 minutes of baking.

ITALIAN STYLE ZUCCHINI AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut into slices.
• Heat 2 Tbsp of the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat, then add the garlic and mushrooms. Sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes, sprinkle with a little salt and remove. Put the mushrooms in a plate or bowl and set aside.
• Next, add the other 2 Tbsp of the oil and the sliced zucchini. Sauté and stir frequently, for about 10 minutes.
• When the zucchini are just beginning to show tinges of brown, add the sautéed mushrooms. Keep the pan on the heat.
• Now add the diced tomatoes or puree (move the zucchini to one side and turn the heat up a little to cook the tomatoes a bit before mixing them through) and continue to sauté, turning occasionally. Add salt and pepper. Taste, and add more salt if it's a bit bland. This dish is very flavorful.
• Continue to cook for a few more minutes, then remove from heat. This makes a nice, light summer lunch, or a tasty side dish, along with some crusty bread!

STUFFED ZUCCHINI WITH MEAT / ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• If the zucchini is long, cut it in half, then hollow it out, rinse and set aside.
• In a small bowl soak the bread for about 30 seconds in either water or milk. Remove the crust and squeeze out the excess moisture, crumble and place in a medium bowl, add the ground beef, egg, parmesan cheese, spices and garlic, and mix well.
• Stuff the meatball mixture into the zucchini. In a medium to large frying pan add 2 tablespoons of oil and place the stuffed zucchini in the pan, sprinkle with a pinch or 2 of salt and extra spices if desired, drizzle with approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the water, cover the pan slightly. Cook on low/medium heat until the zucchini is tender and water has evaporated. Raise the heat, and uncover and cook till zucchini is slightly browned, turn and brown the other side. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

ITALIAN STYLE BAKED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a small skillet render the bacon. When almost crisp, add the olive oil and heat up. When the olive oil is hot, add the shallots and cook for a few minutes or until tender. Add the oregano and prosciutto and simmer for a minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut the baby zucchini in half. If you are using small zucchini, then cut them in half horizontally, then each half in quarters lengthwise. Set them in a lightly oiled gratin dish, skin side down. Sprinkle with the bacon mixture and scatter parsley on top. Cover and bake or 20 minutes.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• In large skillet, brown sausage.
• Drain well.
• In same skillet, saute onion & garlic 5 minutes in oil.
• Cut zucchini in half - remove seeds from center, reserving meaty party and cutting into cube approximate 1/2" in size, leaving boat shell for stuffing.
• In large bowl mix together sausage, bread crumbs, seasonings, egg, onion, garlic and tomatoes and cubed zucchini.
• Mix to just combine.
• Stuff into zucchini boats and place in 9x13 baking dish.
• Pour entire can of tomato sauce over stuffed boats.
• Bake un-covered in 375º oven approximately 45 minutes.
• Place cheese (tear to fit boats or use shredded) & place on top of tomato sauce.
• Return to oven for approximately 10 minutes - cheese should bubble.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Remove ends from zucchini& cut in half lengthwise.
• Cut each half in thirds crosswise.
• Place cut side down in hot oil in a large skillet.
• Add onion& cook until zucchini is lightly browned.
• Sprinkle zucchini with salt& spices and top with tomatoes.
• Cover and simmer for 15 mnutes.
• Uncover and simmer 20 minutes oruntil squash is tender and a fairly thick sauce is formed.

ITALIAN-STYLE ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Drizzle olive oil on zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until zucchini is fork-tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
• While zucchini is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef with onion and garlic until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic salt.
• Combine tomato paste with 1 cup of water in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly. Drain fat from beef mixture if needed. Add tomato paste mixture and heat through. Turn off heat, add fresh basil leaves, and mix until well blended.
• Remove zucchini from the oven; leave the oven on. Scoop meat mixture generously into each zucchini quarter and sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

ZUCCHINI ITALIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• In a large dutch oven or pressure cooker, over medium heat saute onions and garlic in oil for 2 minutes.
• Add cubed potatoes, salt, pepper, parsley and tomates, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add zucchini and continue cooking until potatoes are fork-tender.
• Remove from the heat and allow rest.
• In a bowl, beat eggs with grated cheese.
• Using a whipping motion, intergrate the egg mixture into the zucchini.
• The eggs will quickly cook and mixture will become thick.
• A one dish meal served with a salad and a crusty country loaf.
• Enjoy!

ZUCCHINI STEW

Steps:

• Flavor Base: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and zucchini to the pan, cooking until onion and zucchini are a bit soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stewify: Stir in marinara sauce and beans. Continue cooking, covered, for 5 minutes until marinara sauce is hot and gently simmering.
• Greens: Stir in chopped kale and basil. Cook until kale wilts, about 2 minutes.
• Serve: Season with salt and pepper, as needed, then serve warm!