Description
Mediterranean zucchini sizzles with herbal charm, bringing summer’s freshest flavors to your plate. Crisp, smoky edges and delicate inner flesh create a simple side dish that elevates any meal with Mediterranean grace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 medium zucchini (sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds or lengthwise strips)
- 1.5 tablespoons (tbsps) olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon (tsp) salt
- 0.25 teaspoon (tsp) black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon (tsp) Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Optional: fresh lemon juice
- Optional: grated Parmesan
- Optional: chopped fresh herbs (basil or parsley)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice zucchini into uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking and attractive presentation.
- Seasoning Blend: Whisk olive oil with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to create a robust marinade for the zucchini.
- Grill Setup: Heat grill to medium-high temperature (400°F), creating optimal conditions for caramelization and tender texture.
- Grilling Process: Arrange zucchini slices directly on clean grill grates, allowing each piece to develop beautiful char marks and smoky flavor.
- Cooking Technique: Rotate zucchini midway through grilling to ensure even browning, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side until vegetables are tender and lightly charred.
- Finishing Touches: Transfer grilled zucchini to serving platter and enhance with optional garnishes like fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, or chopped herbs for added complexity and visual appeal.
Notes
- Ensure medium-high heat prevents burning and allows even caramelization of zucchini slices.
- Cut zucchini slices equally thick (about 1/4-1/2 inch) to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven grilling.
- Coat zucchini thoroughly with oil and seasonings before grilling to enhance flavor absorption and prevent sticking to grill grates.
- Pat zucchini dry before seasoning to avoid steaming instead of grilling, which helps achieve crispy exterior and tender interior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg