Zucchini Ragout Recipes

Steps:

• In a large hot saucepan heat oil. Add onion, 1/3 of garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and saute until onions and garlic are fragrant. Stir in zucchini, 1/3 garlic and tarragon, partially cover pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until zucchini has begun to soften. Stir in plum tomatoes with juice, 1/3 garlic and basil, partially cover pan and cook for 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Serve over rice. Top with Parmesan.

Steps:

• Begin making the polenta. While it's in the oven, cook the squash. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet, and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until just about tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for a minute or two, until fragrant. Stir in the squash and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and toss together for five to eight minutes, until it is coated with oil and beginning to soften. Add the tomatoes and their juice, the sugar and salt to taste. Turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, for five to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly. Turn the heat back down to medium and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and aromatic. If they begin to dry and stick to the pan before the end of the cooking time (if you're using fresh tomatoes, this may happen because there isn't as much juice as with canned tomatoes), add up to 1/4 cup water. Stir in the parsley and mint, and simmer for a few more minutes. Remove from the heat, taste, adjust the salt and add pepper.
• When the polenta is ready, remove from the oven. If adding Parmesan, stir it in. Spoon onto plates, and make a depression in the center. Top with the zucchini. Garnish with additional Parmesan, and serve.

Steps:

• Combine the stock, oil, celery, zucchini and scallions in a large, deep skillet; season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, adding the beans halfway through, about 10 minutes total. If you'd like to make it brothier, add 1/3 cup vegetable stock and warm for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide among shallow bowls. Top with a dollop of crème fraîche, drizzle with pesto and top with celery leaves. Serve with couscous or grilled bread.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray two 17x12-inch half-sheet pans with cooking spray. Place zucchini in single layer in pans. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Bake 20 minutes or until almost tender. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
• Meanwhile, pierce potatoes with fork. Place potatoes on microwavable paper towel in microwave oven. Microwave uncovered on High 6 minutes or until partially cooked. Cool 10 minutes. Peel and thinly slice potatoes; set aside.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and onions over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in flour and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in rosemary and garlic.
• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the meat sauce in baking dish. Top with potato slices. Place half of the zucchini slices over potatoes; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining meat sauce, remaining zucchini and 1/2 cup cheese. Pour white sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered 45 to 55 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add zucchini; cover and cook until tender, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices and red pepper; boil uncovered until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Make 4 shallow indentations in ragout, spacing apart. Crack 1 egg into each indentation. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until eggs are softly set, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 toast slice on each of 4 plates. Divide egg-topped ragout on top of toast.

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook garlic and onion in oil about 5 minutes or until soft. Add bell pepper; cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook until spinach is wilted. Stir in pasta sauce, salt and pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until thickened.
• Meanwhile, cut zucchini into 1/8-inch slices using knife or mandolin. Sprinkle zucchini with salt; set aside 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked; salting it takes out a lot of moisture. Blot off excess moisture with paper towel.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Place zucchini on grill over high heat. Cover grill; cook until lightly charred on both sides. Again, use a paper towel to blot excess moisture.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg.
• Spread some of the red sauce in bottom of baking dish; layer with enough zucchini to cover. Next, spread with half of the ricotta cheese mixture; top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, making sure to top off with sauce and mozzarella. Cover with foil.
• Bake about 45 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil.