Zucchini side dish?

[Anonymous]

I have a 2 lb zucchini that I would like to use as a side dish this weekend. We have friends (a couple) coming over for dinner and I was planning on serving grilled steak with spinach salad, roasted red potatoes and...zucchini as a side dish.

But since it's so huge I can't make the zucchini boats. I guess I could steam it, but I dont' want it to be boring.

Any ideas how I can incorporate zucchini into my dinner?

[Anonymous]

I've done a yummy baked zucchini thing -maybe its like a terrine?? Basically you make like a lasagna - slices of zucchini layered with a little olive oil, mozzerella cheese, parmesan cheese, and slices of tomatoes or tomato sauce, with italian seasoning, mozzerella cheese and breadcrumbs on top. Bake for 30 minutes or so until its cooked and its really yummy.

[Anonymous]

that sounds good, but do you think it would go with steak & potatoes?

[Anonymous]

This is from Epicurious and was really delicious!

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 2 pounds medium zucchini, trimmed
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• Small wedge of Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Whisk oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and crushed red pepper in small bowl to blend. Set dressing aside.
Using vegetable peeler or V-slicer and working from top to bottom of each zucchini, slice zucchini into ribbons (about 1/16 inch thick). Place ribbons in large bowl. Add basil and nuts, then dressing; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Using vegetable peeler, shave strips from Parmesan wedge over salad.

[Anonymous]

Cut into slices or wedges, add some italian salad dressing, and grill it. Delicious!

[Anonymous]

Instead of a spinach salad, make a zucchini salad? Bon Appetit this past month had a recipe that called for shaving (using a vegetable peeler) zucchini and tossing it, I think, with lemon juice and pine nuts. I'm having trouble with the BA website right now, otherwise I'd give you the link.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks everyone. I knew I came to the right place.

I'll definitely make the zucchini terrine and the zucchini salad in the future. They both sound delicious. I've added them to my "notebook".

I think I'll go with the grilled zucchini. What a great & simple idea!

[Anonymous]

I make these Zucchini Patties all the time when I have left over zucchini;

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/zucchini-patties/Detail.aspx

They are great to snack on and I cut them into "finger fries" slices for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Zucchini fries as appetizer?
Zucchini gratin?

Simple grilled zucchini sounds perfect, too.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I marinated the zucchini in the italian dressing overnight. I sprinkled it with parmesan cheese while still on the grill and it was a great side.

I love allrecipes.com. I added the zucchini patties into the recipe box!

[Anonymous]

I usually sautee or grill Zuchinni

[Anonymous]

Cooks Country also has a fantastic zucchini quiche with fontina and basil. It's my favorite summer dish!