Zucchini is a versatile and healthy food that sometimes gets overlooked for more splashy veggies like yellow squash or eggplant. But in reality, there’s a lot you can do with zucchini that makes it a strong contender for one of those vegetables you should always have in your crisper drawer. Why? Well, because there are tons of ways to eat it raw; cook it by itself; or mix it up into a dish; or even use it as a healthy substitute for another ingredient. The bottom line is that zucchini is an affordable and tasty alternative to a variety of squash and other veggies. Here’s how you should use it.
How to Saute Zucchini
Sauteing vegetables is a simple way to whip up a healthy side dish for lunch or dinner without a lot of thought and prep. Start by heating up a tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Wash the zucchini and cut off the tip on either side. Slice the zucchini into 1 inch rounds and when the oil or butter is melted or heated up, toss in the slices. Saute for 5 minutes or until the zucchini is just barely crisp on the outside, but slightly tender on the inside. Season lightly with salt and serve warm.
How to Bread Zucchini
Breading zucchini might sound a little odd, but zucchini fries are a popular treat for everyone! Start by preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash the zucchini thoroughly and chop off the ends. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin off of the zucchini, so that all you’re left with is the white interior part. Next, slice the zucchini in half (to make shorter fries) and then slice each half lengthwise so that you can lay them flat to cut the remaining slices. Slice the zucchini into long, rectangular strips (similar to the size of french fries).
Next, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a bowl. On a large plate, mix breadcrumbs with Old Bay seasoning (or another similar seasoning salt). Dip the zucchini strips into the butter and then coat with the breadcrumb mix. Place the strips on a foil covered baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. Zucchini fries won’t be crispy, but they outside with be slightly crisp, and the inside will be soft. Serve warm with a spritz of lemon juice on top of the fries.
How to Roast Zucchini
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, wash zucchini and cut off the tips on each end. Slice into 2 inch rounds and then half them. Also, slice long, thin rounds of red onions and toss these in a mixing bowl with the zucchini halves. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 2 cloves of garlic (minced). Toss the vegetables and make sure they’re completely coated with mixture. Spread onto a baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Serve the roast zucchini medley warm.
