Il Cucinologo
EN

Baked Zucchini

17/11/2023

Baked zucchini is a light and flavorful side dish, typical of Italian cuisine. Now I will explain how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium zucchini
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Breadcrumbs to taste (as needed)
  • grated Parmesan to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • (Optional) Aromatic herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (static mode).
  2. Wash the zucchini and cut them into slices about half a centimeter thick.
  3. Take a baking tray and grease the bottom with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
  4. Arrange the zucchini slices on the tray in a single layer.
  5. Peel the garlic cloves and chop them very finely. Sprinkle the chopped garlic over the zucchini.
  6. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Sprinkle a pinch of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan on each slice. This will create a golden and tasty crust.
  8. If desired, add some chopped aromatic herbs to give an extra touch of flavor.
  9. Lightly drizzle the seasoned zucchini with another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
  10. Bake the zucchini and let them cook for about 20-30 minutes or until golden and crispy on the surface.

Baked zucchini can also be enriched with other ingredients to give more flavor and texture, such as tomato slices, mozzarella or other cheeses, depending on personal tastes.

Trivia

The zucchini is a very versatile ingredient in cooking that takes on the flavor of other foods and spices well, making it perfect for pairing with various aromatic herbs and seasonings. This dish is extremely popular in Italy, where zucchini is used in many preparations, from pasta to side dishes, to main courses.