Zucchini Anyone??

We were accumulating Zucchinis around the house and I wanted to make something out of the ordinary (not bread, muffins, or casserole).  This is my take on Zucchini Ki Bhaji

Zucchini Ki Bhaji

Ingredients:

3 large (Bannanna sized) zucchini
3 tbsps gram flour (AKA Chickpea Flour, but any other will do)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (will be medium-hot cut down to 1/4 tsp for less heat)
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ajwain seeds (AKA Parsely seeds, can be omitted)
3 tbsps cooking oil
1 large tomato chopped (canned diced is OK)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Peel the zucchini and cut into 1" pieces.
Put the cut zucchini into a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, turmeric, cayenne, cumin powder and  salt.  Toss well to coat all the zucchini pieces. Keep aside for later.
Heat the oil in a deep pan on a medium flame, till hot.
Add the cumin and ajwain seeds and cook till they stop spluttering. Now add the onion and zucchini
Cook till the flour coating is golden and the zucchini is tender
Add the tomato and cilantro and heat thru.  Add a bit of water, yogurt or cream to make a thick sauce.

Serve as is (the way I ate it) or over rice, with pitas, etc.  You can also add a can of Garbanzos right into the curry if you'd like.

I just made zucchini boats last evening for supper.  I only ate half of mine and had the other half today for lunch.

I took about .85 pounds of lean ground beef (or a pound of it.  I just happened to find this in my freezer but ground turkey or sausage would work too) and browned it with a small onion chopped.  Drained it.  Then I added about 1/3 cup of fat free sour cream (could probably used greek yogurt too), about 1/4 cup of grated parm cheese, salt, pepper and some grill seasoning and mixed it together.  

Meanwhile, I had taken a large zucchini, halved it, scooped out the seeds and drizzled EVOO, salt and pepper on it.  Then I filled each half with the beef mixture.  I topped them with about a tablespoon of bread crumbs and some shredded parm cheese.  Baked at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

The zucchini was still very crunchy, not mushy at all.  You could probably also do this on the grill on a cookie sheet which I usually do.  Just didn't feel like firing up the grill last evening.  Obviously this would be easy to multiply for more people or use smaller zucchini and less meat.  It's really versatile.

Thanks,
Jill

Thank you for your recipe idea!

It sounds so good and full of protein. I can't wait to try it!

Thanks again,

Lisa

Please see my profile for a great zucchini recipe.  I LOVE the stuff.

My favorite is to put it in a microwave steamer bag with other veggies and then add soy sauce and sesame oil.  (okay, and LOTS of garlic)

But there is another recipe I think you might enjoy on my profile.

Thank you! I will check this out!

The zucchini in the steamer bag w/soy sounds delish!

Thanks again,

Lisa

Lisa, this receipe is wonderful as a side with fish!

Zucchini in Dill Sauce
7 c. zucchini juliened
1/4 c. diced onion
1/2 c. water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chicken boullion
1/2 tsp dill

Combine ingredients in saucepan.  Simmer until crisp tender.  When done, drain off half of liquid into a bowl.  Remove saucepan from heat.
 
Blend half of the cooking liquid with:
2 Tbs flour
1/2 c. sour cream (or greek yogurt)

Add the sour cream mixture and the following ingredients to the zucchini:
2 Tbs melted butter
2 tsp sugar substitute (I used 3 splenda packs)
1 tsp lemon juice

Once all combined, cook over medium heat until slightly thickened.

Hope you enjoy!  I am actually making this tonight with grilled shrimp and scallops. 

This sounds yummy!

Thank you for the recipe. I can't wait to try it.

Lisa

Here is a link to a post about a year ago with zucchini recipes,  the soup is really delicious.  
There are a several other ideas as well,  I have some recipes for muffins, cakes and such (not that I eat the cake any more.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/3674212/Zucchini-S oup/

Johanna

Johanna,

I am not sure I see the "link to the post" is it on your profile??

Thanks,

Lisa

Here is a link to one of Shelly's recipes on her blog "The World According to Eggface" (the 4/29/08 post):

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/search?q=Chic ken+Dijon+Casserole

I have made her Chicken Dijon Casserole a bunch of times and it is fabulous.  My husband (no surgery) loves it, too.  I usually double the dijon (because I love it). Sometimes I add extra veggies---whatever is in the fridge.  Or a splash of Worcestershire sauce on my serving when I crave an extra flavor zing.

Enjoy!