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Marinated Zucchini in Oil

17/11/2023

Marinated zucchini in oil is a delicious appetizer or side dish, very common in Italian cuisine. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • Young and firm zucchini, about 1 kg
  • White wine vinegar, as needed
  • Coarse salt, about 100 g
  • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • Garlic, 2-3 cloves
  • Chili pepper (optional), to taste
  • Fresh aromatic herbs such as mint or basil, to taste

Preparation

  1. Wash the zucchini and cut them into slices approximately 5 mm thick. If you prefer, you can also cut them into sticks or rounds, according to your taste.

  2. Arrange the slices in a colander and sprinkle them with coarse salt. Let them drain for about 12 hours to lose their vegetation water. This step is to keep the zucchini crispy even after preservation.

  3. After the resting time, rinse the zucchini well under running water to remove the excess salt and dry them with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.

  4. Bring the white wine vinegar to a boil in a large pot and immerse the zucchini for about 2 minutes to sterilize them and make them more resistant to conservation.

  5. Remove the zucchini and let them cool well spread out on a clean cloth so that they lose the excess moisture.

  6. In the meantime, sterilize the glass jars you intend to use by boiling them in water for a few minutes and dry them well.

  7. Prepare the jars by alternating layers of zucchini with sliced garlic, chili pepper if you like, and aromatic herbs.

  8. Fill the jars with extra virgin olive oil, making sure to cover the zucchini completely.

  9. Close the jars hermetically and store them in a cool, dry place for at least a month before consuming them, to allow the flavors to blend well.

Curiosity

This preservation technique is very ancient and allows to enjoy the flavor of the vegetables even outside their harvest season. Moreover, with the addition of various aromas such as garlic, chili pepper, and aromatic herbs, each preparation can have a unique and personal touch.

Always remember to consume the marinated zucchini in oil within about a year, and once the jar is opened, store it in the refrigerator and use it within a few days.