Fan-Cut Zucchini

Fan-cut zucchini is a simple and delicious summer dish. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchinis
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Dried oregano to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fine salt
• Black pepper (optional)
• (Optional) Cherry tomatoes
• (Optional) Shavings of Parmesan or another cheese of your choice

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
2. Wash the zucchinis and make fan cuts, meaning vertical cuts that do not go all the way through, so that the zucchini remains attached at the base.
3. Insert thin slices of garlic in the cuts, and if you wish, you can also add halved cherry tomatoes.
4. Season the zucchinis with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, black pepper to taste, and sprinkle with chopped parsley and dried oregano.
5. If you want to add an extra Italian touch, you can finish with Parmesan shavings or another cheese before baking.
6. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the zucchinis are tender and golden.

This is a versatile dish that lends itself to many variations, for instance, you can add slices of cheese that melt well, such as scamorza, between the cuts for a more indulgent result. Or make it a complete dish by adding proteins, such as strips of speck or prosciutto.

Curiosity

Fan-cut zucchinis are a creative and pleasant way to present a vegetable side dish. In Italy, especially during the summer period, it is common to find variations of this recipe that include the use of Mediterranean aromatic herbs such as rosemary or marjoram, which give an even more typical and aromatic flavor to the dish.