How To Cook Zucchini Like A Japanese Hibachi Restaurant
Chefs at Japanese hibachi restaurants transform cooking into performance art by preparing your meal in front of you on a large hibachi grill. The stars of a teppanyaki dinner are usually the meat dishes prepared over an open flame, but zucchini and onions are almost always prepared as a side dish for the meal. Most restaurants make the zucchini on a teppanyaki grill, which has a flat iron surface and you can easily re-create the dish at home with a cast iron skillet.
Roasted Zucchini And Squash
Oven roasting these veggies is the top choice in our zucchini and squash recipes! These vegetables go hand in hand with Italian-style herbs like oregano and basil. Topped with a bit of melty Parmesan cheese and roasted in a hot oven until tender, theyre absolute perfection! This recipe is very easy to make, and you can whip up the rest of your meal while it bakes.
Also try: Baked Zucchini So easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan!
How Thick Should I Cut The Zucchini
Zucchini should be cut lengthwise in quarter inch long slices. The best way to do this is to place the zucchini on its side and take a sharp knife and cut all the way down the length of the zucchini making 4-5 slices per one zucchini. Ive found that this is the best thickness to make sure it grills through in about 6 minutes.
Recommended Reading: Easy Rum Punch Recipe For A Party
Why This Is The Best Grilled Zucchini:
I havent ever made a side dish thats as easy as this one! And, my kids LOVE grilled zucchini and squash! Any vegetable the kids will devour is a win all by itself!
In the summer Im always on the farm and getting meals on the table is rushed and hectic. Its pretty hard to make dinner when youre in a tractor! Thats the beauty of these foil packets! I assemble everything ahead of time and then cook them later. Any side dish that can be prepped ahead of time is going to make its way into our meal rotation.
Grilled Zucchini can be thrown on the grill with your meat and taken off with the meat. It really doesnt get any easier than this!
Root For Root Vegetables
For better or for worse, zucchini finds itself in many plant-based dishes, especially as a meat substitute in veggie burger patties. What’s a zucchini-averse vegetarian to do? Beetroot is a fantastic substitute in this case, not only for taste but for color . But you don’t have to go to the store to make a beet burger. It’s as simple as grains, beets, legumes, spices, and binding ingredients.
If you’ve found yourself with a soup recipe for which you need a zucchini alternative, try using celeriac or parsnips. If you’ve never had these vegetables, you should know that they have a deeper flavor than zucchini. Celeriac is celery root and does taste a bit like the plant’s stalk but earthier. Parsnips resemble cream-colored carrots but are less sweet and can be a bit spicy. As such, these are great options if you’d like to add a bit of a kick to your soups.
Also Check: Philadelphia Cream Cheese Jello Recipes
Tips For Grilling / Bbqing Squash
While grilling squash is a no-fuss recipe, here are some tips and tricks to get the best tasting grilled squash:
- Season the squash by first brushing them or spraying them with olive oil. Then, sprinkle on the seasoning and mix them together to get an even coat. This helps the seasoning stick to the zucchini and summer squash better.
- Dont leave them unattendedsquash cook really fast and even faster on a grill because its so hot.
- Keep the grill at about 350 °F and cook the squash in the middle of the grill for about 4 minutes on one side and then turn them and cook them for an additional 4 minutes on the other side.
Easy Yellow Squash And Zucchini On The Grill
Zucchini and yellow summer squash are light, delicious, with a tender flavor and bright color they are a perfect side dish that go with grilled dishes, simple to prepare, and low-calorie but packed with nutrition and flavor!
If you love the flavor of zucchini, or squash or you have an abundance from your garden this recipe is a great staple that you can customize to work into your menu, add different seasonings and spices, or other vegetables it is a great base recipe you can use to make your own.
Since zucchini and summer squash are both squash, and have similar shapes and cooking times, they are perfect to make together! Many people grow the two vegetables together already, making this dish a home gardeners favorite. This is a fabulous recipe to use up some of the bounty from your backyard garden.
You May Like: Healthy Dinner Recipes For One
How Long Does It Take To Pan Fry Zucchini
Zucchini cooks in almost no time at all and it is virtually impossible to undercook it. That said, it is quite possible to over cook it. Overcooked zucchini is soft and mushy, so stop cooking before you get to that point. A couple of minutes in a hot frying pan is enough for fresh zucchini and HOW TO COOK ZUCCHINI ON THE STOVE TOP.
Also Check: How To Clean Porcelain Grill Grates Char Broil
Types Of Squash & Zucchini To Use
Squash is one of the oldest cultivated cropsarcheologists have found traces of squash crops that date back to tens of thousands of years ago in Mesoamerica. Its one of the Three Sister crops that include corn , beans, and squash are still staples of the Native American diet.
Squash is full of healthy nutrients like vitamin A and B6, potassium, manganese, fiber, and more. For this recipe, we use summer squash like crookneck and zucchini varieties because theyre similar shaped and will cook evenly in the bbqand theyre delicious. Note, this recipe is specifically for summer squash that have thinner and softer skins. If you use winter squash like kabocha or pumpkin, it may take longer or not work as well.
Recommended Reading: Simple Recipes For One Person
Grill Your Side Dishes
Lets face it, when you are grilling you dont want to be running inside every few minutes to check on your side dishes. Thats why potato salad and coleslaw are such favorites when you are grilling.
But what about if you grilled your side dish?! It turns out, its easy and delicious!
Ive been making this marinated zucchini and summer squash from Giada for years and years. Its in her Family Dinners Cookbook which was published in 2006, so thats how long Ive been making it!
I love that it goes with everything, its the perfect side for chicken, pork, beef or seafood!
What To Serve With Squash And Zucchini
We love to pair this oven-roasted veggie side dish with fancy meals like our lemon and herb turkey breast just as much as weeknight staples like our homemade chicken nuggets or our spiced chicken wings.
Baked zucchini and squash also make a great pairing with our Greek roasted potatoes and for a complete meal.
Don’t Miss: White Castle Onion Chips Recipe
Vegetarian: The Best Way To Grill Zucchini
Now that were at the height of summer its only logical to take a break from the oven and have a brief summer fling with that sleeker, sexier, more exotic cooking vessel: the outdoor grill. Its a particularly good tool for vegetables, which, at their best, come off sweet and charred, intensely flavorful and smoky. I like roasted zucchini, but I like grilled zucchini even better.
Zucchini and squash can be watery and bland. When done right, the grill fixes these problems: the flesh softens and gets infused with smoky flavor, the exterior becomes burnished, and moisture is evaporated, intensifying flavor. Though I often grill up platters of zucchini without really thinking too hard about itslice zucchini, brush it with oil, season it and grill itthis summer I wanted to break down the process a bit and see if I couldnt find a tastier version.
I headed out to the store and picked up an armful of summer squash: green, yellow, and light green. To start, I cut them in different ways to see if a particular shape would take better to grilling: lengthwise planks, disks, and lengthwise quarters . Some, I salted and let sit for an hour, to see if draining some moisture would result in a tastier product others I marinated in a simple vinaigrette still others I didnt oil before grilling, to see if the oil is truly necessary and the rest I just oiled, salted and grilled as usual.
Blackstone Zucchini And Squash Recipe:
Zucchini on Blackstone Griddle is one of our favorite ways to make this vegetable. Using out Blackstone Griddle has been so fun to make our favorite recipes.
We have always steamed our zucchini and squash but once we purchased a Blackstone, we have been cooking everything on it. The Blackstone is great for my large family and the food always turns out so good.
Slice up some zucchini and squash and add some of your favorite seasoning. Then sauté on the griddle for a few minutes. That is all it takes to make an amazing side dish.
Read Also: Ketel One Cucumber Mint Vodka Recipes
Grilled Zucchini And Squash
Grilled Zucchini and Squash is the perfect go-to side dish when grilling out. My family loves this easy recipe and we are always in abundance of zucchini and squash during the summer. I love how simple it is to make this side dish recipe and that I can prep it in no time and throw it on the grill and let it cook while the meat is cooking.
It is also nice that I cook this in a foil pocket so that means no dirty dishes for me to clean up! It is an easy recipe that you can prepare when you are camping too! I have even taken it with me to the pool for a healthy side dish with our burgers poolside. This side dish recipe is naturally gluten free which makes it nice for everyone to enjoy.
This is a healthy side dish that you can make in just a few minutes! Grilled Zucchini and Squash is the perfect go-to side dish when grilling out this summer. I love how simple it is to make this easy recipe. I hope you enjoy it all summer long like we do.
You May Like: Char-broil Grill Grates Rusted
Ways To Use Grilled Zucchini
You can eat grilled zucchini as-is as a side dish, but I often make extra grilled zucchini to use in other recipes during the week.
- Pasta: This zucchini recipe is the perfect addition to fettuccine alfredo.
- Salad: Coarsely chop your zucchini and add it to a green salad.
- Sandwiches: Layer grilled zucchini with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella and pesto for an amazing sandwich.
- Pizza: Chop your zucchini and add it on top of a frozen cheese pizza.
Don’t Miss: Veg Salad Recipes For Weight Loss
Tips To Perfect Grilled Zucchini And Squash & Faqs
Use high heat. Zucchini and squash taste best when they cook hot and fast giving them a chance to crisp and get a bit of browning, without turning to mush. We want a nice crisp edge and browning for appearance, flavor, and texture. Dont cook zucchini on a smoker or colder grill.
Make it nonstick. Zucchini and squash stick easily to grill grates lightly oil grates before placing squash on grill- or lay down a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
Grilled Zucchini With Miso Glaze
This dish plays on the sweetness and fruitiness of plump zucchini. Scoring the flesh in a crisscross pattern creates crevices for the miso glaze to seep into while also allowing the heat to penetrate the zucchini. Cooked quickly on high heat, the squash maintains its shape and heft, with flesh that is just tender enough. Covering the zucchini with a lid during cooking locks in all the moisture, ensuring that it becomes juicy.
A grill pan is ideal for achieving smoky char marks, but you could also use a regular skillet or cook it on an outdoor grill . If you are cooking for a group, count on one zucchini per person. Serve this as a side dish or with rice for a simple, quick and flavorful meal.
1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce
Neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed
White or brown rice, for serving
2 scallions, white and green parts, trimmed and finely sliced
Toasted sesame seeds, for serving
Directions:
1. Using a sharp knife , score the zucchini flesh in a crisscross pattern, taking care not to slice all the way through.
2. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, combine the miso paste, mirin, sugar and soy sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk until combined.
3. Liberally brush the cut sides of the zucchini with the glaze. Drizzle each piece with a little oil.
6. Remove the zucchini from the pan and brush more glaze over the cut side. Serve on its own or on top of rice, if desired, and scatter with scallions and sesame seeds.
Don’t Miss: Simple Syrup Recipe For Drinks
How To Cut Zucchini For Grilling
There are two popular ways to cut up zucchini for grilling: into long planks or into batons.
I prefer to cut the zucchini into batons. Batons hold their texture and are easy to turn so that they do not slip into the grates.
To cut up zucchini for grilling:
- Wash the zucchini and trim off the ends .
- Cut it in half lengthwise.
- Place the cut sides down flat on the cutting board and cut it lengthwise in half again to create four zucchini sticks or batons.
- Season as desired and throw on the grill!
How To Grill Zucchini
Grilled is one of the healthiest ways to eat zucchini, because the grill imparts big-time flavor without the need for extra fat.
However, all grilled zucchini is not created equal.
If youve been a victim of soggy, mushy zucchini, you know what Im talking about.
To grill zucchini without it getting soggy, you need to do two things:
Recommended Reading: Beef Stew Meat Recipes Crock Pot
How To Cut Zucchini For The Grill
How you cut zucchini and squash for grilling can drastically affect cooking time. I slice mine into & frac13 ½ medallions. A lot of people like to do ribbons, but I find the medallions both more difficult to deal with when slicing, and later while cooking the squash on the grill.
The medallions are surprisingly easy to work with! I dont even use a grill pan or foil, although I provide instructions for using all methods below, for those who wish to do so.
Read Also: Grilling Lobster Tails Weber
How To Make Zucchini On The Blackstone:
- Prepare Griddle Preheat your Blackstone griddle over medium high heat .
- Prepare the Vegetables Slice the zucchini and squash into thin slices .
- Add Oil to Griddle Spread the oil onto the griddle with your spatula. You can also use olive oil.
- Begin cooking vegetables Put the zucchini and yellow squash onto the griddle on the oil in a single layer. Season them with the garlic salt and pepper.
- Cook the veggies for a few minutes on the cooking surface. Then flip the veggies and cook for a few more minutes until they are the tenderness that you prefer.
- Serve warm and enjoy Season with Salt and Pepper.
Also Check: Prego Lasagna Recipe With Cottage Cheese
Is Foil Safe To Use On The Grill
As you can see, this recipe calls for you to use foil on the grill. Is it safe? YES!
Many people even use aluminum foil to help keep the grill clean.
Aluminum foil helps to keep the juices together, so the food turns out even better than you expected. I love using aluminum foil on the grill, it just makes life a lot easier.
If youâve tried this recipe for Grilled Zucchini and Squash or any other recipe on Cultured Palate please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on , , , and .
What To Look For When Buying Squash
Whether youre buying your yellow squash and zucchini at the grocery store or the farmers market, there are a couple things you should keep in mind. You want to look for small or medium sized squashlarger squash tend to have bitter seeds and a more fibrous skin. Also, look for squash that is free of puncture marks, as they tend to go bad faster.
Matt Armendariz
Recommended Reading: Best Sugar Cookie Recipe For Decorating
How To Make Oven Roasted Zucchini And Squash
Step 1. Prepare for baking. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Step 2. Cut and season the green and yellow squash. Quarter the zucchini and squash, then slice into 1-inch pieces. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the zucchini and toss to evenly coat. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 Roast & serve. Roast squash for 12-15 minutes, tossing with a spatula halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Garnish with grated Parmesan, if desired, and serve immediately.
Roasted zucchini and squash comes together easily. You can elevate this dish with a few expert tips and variations.