Pan Roasted Zucchini With Fresh Herb Gremolata Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Trim the stem end of the zucchini, cut them in half lengthwise, and scoop out a small channel of seeds with a regular teaspoon. Place the zucchini in one layer on a sheet pan, brush generously all over with olive oil, and turn the zucchini cut side down. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, until just tender but still firm when tested with the tip of a small paring knife.
• Meanwhile, make the bread crumbs. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, parsley, basil, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the panko and 3 1/2 tablespoons of oil and mix well.
• Turn the zucchini cut side up and spoon a heaping tablespoon of the panko mixture evenly on each zucchini. Bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the panko is crispy. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Put zucchini, cut sides up, on a plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Put cilantro in a small bowl with mint, garlic, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss with fingertips to evenly disperse; set aside.
• Pour olive oil in a sauté pan large enough to hold zucchini in a single layer. Pat zucchini dry with paper towels and season lightly with pepper. Heat oil over medium-low. Add zucchini to pan, cut sides down, and cook until they are slightly soft but still hold their shape, as little as 5 minutes, adjusting heat if necessary to maintain a light golden color.
• Arrange zucchini on serving plate, browned sides up. Serve warm or at room temperature. Just before serving toss bread crumbs with cilantro-mint mixture and scatter over zucchini. Drizzle with additional extra virgin olive oil, if desired.

Steps:

• If you have a food mill, quarter tomatoes. If not, peel, seed and chop them. (See step 5.)
• To make tomato sauce, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and basil sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high. When tomatoes are bubbling briskly, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to pan, 15 to 25 minutes, depending on consistency. Remove basil sprigs; taste and adjust seasoning.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Trim ends off zucchini and cut in half crosswise, then into lengthwise slices, about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Season on both sides with salt and pepper and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on baking sheets in one layer and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Roast for 12 minutes, until lightly browned and easily pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375 degrees.
• If using a food mill, put sauce through medium blade. If not, pulse sauce in a food processor fitted with steel blade until just coarsely puréed. Stir in chopped basil.
• To assemble the dish, oil a 2-quart gratin with olive oil. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over bottom of dish. Arrange a third of the zucchini in an even layer over tomato sauce. Spoon a third of remaining sauce over zucchini and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat with 2 more layers, ending with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.