Best Zucchini Panzanella Recipes

SUMMER ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO PANZANELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide the zucchini slices evenly among 4 flat plates, overlapping each slice just slightly, like shingles. Brush with the lemon juice and season with salt. Let sit for 5 minutes to marinate and wilt.
• Meanwhile, toss the bread cubes with 1 tablespoon of the oil, the oregano, mint and some salt. Toast on a baking sheet in the oven until slightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
• For the vinaigrette, simply combine the red wine vinegar with the remaining oil and the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the cherry tomatoes with the bread and about 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette. Let sit until the croutons start to soften, 5 minutes, then toss in the basil. Divide the tomato panzanella salad on top of the zucchini and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and more basil. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette on the side.

ZUCCHINI PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Slice 1 zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick coins. Slice the remaining 2 zucchini crosswise into 2-inch-long segments; press on each segment with your hand (and body weight) to crush so the two rounded sides are flattened, then tear into bite-size pieces. Add all of the zucchini to a large colander set in the sink, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and toss. Let sit to drain, about 30 minutes.
• While the zucchini drains, heat a large skillet over medium. Add the bread and toss frequently with a wooden spoon until lightly browned and beginning to dry out, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons oil, the scallions and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and toss until the bread is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bread is crispy and evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. The scallions should be slightly wilted and browned.
• Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup to the pan. Toss frequently until the bread is evenly coated and the syrup has caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and set aside so the croutons can cool slightly while you finish the salad.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon oregano.
• Transfer the drained zucchini to a clean kitchen towel and blot dry. Add to the bowl with the dressing and toss. Transfer the croutons to the bowl, along with the olives and parsley, and gently toss to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI PANZANELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Place zucchini in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake, uncovered, at 400° until tender and lightly browned, 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from the oven and cool., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss bread cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Transfer to a baking sheet. Bake at 400° until lightly browned, 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally., Place the cooled zucchini, toasted bread, tomatoes, green pepper and red onion in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, seasonings and remaining oil. Drizzle over salad; toss gently to combine. Add the mozzarella and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

RICOTTA-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH PANZANELLA

Steps:

• For the panzanella: Combine the vinegar, 1 cup water, the salt, sugar and garlic in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid and shake, shake, shake to combine. Add the onions and cucumbers, shake again, and let sit for at least 1 hour. (You're making pickles here, and this step can totally be done ahead of time-like yesterday!)
• Put the bread in a large bowl with 1/2 to 1 cup water to soften. Squeeze and knead the bread with your hands, and then let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Squeeze out any excess water from the bread again, put the bread back in the bowl, and crumble it through your fingers. Toss in the tomatoes, add the pickled onions and cucumbers (strain these out and reserve the liquid), and stir to combine. Add the basil and some finishing oil; taste it to make sure it's delicious. Sprinkle in a few drops of the pickling liquid or a bit more oil if needed. Reserve.
• For the blossoms: Wiggle your finger into the blossom down to the base, where the flower meets the stem, and carefully break off and remove the stamen (be gentle, you don't want to rip through the blossom while doing this). Repeat with all the blossoms.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmigiano and parsley and season with salt. Taste and re-season if needed. Put the ricotta mix into a pastry bag, carefully insert the tip of the bag into the flower and fill. Then gently close your hand around the flower to secure it. Place the stuffed blossom on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining flowers.
• Pour peanut oil into a large saucepan over medium-high heat; the oil should come 1 1/2 to 2 inches up the sides of the pan. While the oil heats, set up your drying situation next to the stove by putting a couple layers of paper towels on a baking sheet. To see if the oil is hot enough, drop a bit of flour into it. If it sizzles, you're good to go. If the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot, so reduce the heat.
• Combine the flour and wine in a large bowl to make a very loose batter. Start with 3/4 cup of the wine and add more if needed.
• Working in batches, dip each blossom in the batter to coat it, and then gently put each blossom in the oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Let the blossoms cook until they turn color but stay nice and crispy on the outside, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the blossoms from the oil with a slotted spoon or fish spatula, put them on the paper towels and immediately sprinkle with salt.
• Divide the reserved panzanella among serving plates and top each with 2 crispy blossoms.

FRIED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLE PANZANELLA AND BABY ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• For the panzanella: Heat a grill or grill pan. Toss the zucchini, tomatoes, and onions gently with olive oil and salt and grill until cooked through. Flip halfway through cooking.
• Toss the bread cubes with vinegar, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a sprinkle of water, and salt.
• Chop the grilled vegetables and add to the bread mixture. Toss gently together and season with salt, to taste.
• For the blossoms: Heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, pinch salt, and club soda.
• Spoon the goat cheese into a piping bag and cut a hole in the bag. Gently fill each zucchini blossom with goat cheese.
• Dip each blossom into the batter and then carefully place into the hot oil. Cook until lightly puffed and golden. Remove the blossoms from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Season with salt immediately.
• Fry the basil leaves until just crisped. Set aside.
• For the salad: Toss the arugula with the oil, salt, and a splash of vinegar. Divide the arugula among 4 plates. Mold the panzanella into a ring mold and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining plates. Top each panzanella portion with 1 fried blossom. Drizzle with olive oil to finish and top each plate with a fried basil leaf.

ZUCCHINI PANZANELLA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the bread in a medium bowl and pour the water over it. Squeeze the bread into the water until saturated. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and finely chop.
• Squeeze the excess water from the bread and coarsely chop. Place in a bowl and toss with the tomatoes, zucchini, onion, basil and garlic. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss in the parsley. Serve as a salad or stuffing for chicken or trout.

RICOTTA-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, 1 cup water, the salt, sugar, Tabasco, and garlic in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid and shake, shake, shake to combine. Add the onion and cucumber, shake again, and let sit for at least 1 hour. (You're making pickles here, and this step can totally be done ahead of time-like yesterday!)
• Put the bread in a large bowl with 1/2 to 1 cup of water to soften. Squeeze and knead the bread with your hands, then let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Squeeze out any excess water from the bread, put the bread back in the bowl, and crumble it through your fingers. Toss in the tomatoes, add the pickled onion and cucumber (strain these out and reserve the liquid), and stir to combine. Add the basil and some finishing oil; taste it to make sure it's delicious. Sprinkle in a few drops of the pickling liquid or a bit more oil if needed; reserve.
• Wiggle your finger into the blossom down to the base, where the flower meets the stem, and carefully break off and remove the stamen (be gentle-you don't want to rip through the blossom while doing this). Repeat with all the blossoms.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmigiano, and parsley and season with salt-taste and reseason if needed. Put the ricotta mix into a pastry bag, carefully insert the tip of the bag into the flower, and fill; then gently close your hand around the flower to secure it. Place the stuffed blossom on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining flowers.
• Pour peanut oil into a large saucepan over medium-high heat; the oil should come 1 1/2 to 2 inches up the sides of the pan. While the oil heats, set up your drying situation next to the stove by putting a couple layers of paper towels on a baking sheet. To see if the oil is hot enough, drop a bit of flour into it. If it sizzles, you're good to go. If the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot, so reduce the heat.
• Combine the flour and wine in a large bowl to make a very loose batter. Start with 3/4 cup of wine and add more if needed.
• Working in batches, dip each blossom in the batter to coat it and then gently put each blossom in the oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Let the blossoms cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then turn them over; the blossoms are done when they're still light in color but nice and crispy on the outside. Remove the flowers from the oil with a slotted spoon or fish spatula, put them on the paper towels, and immediately sprinkle with salt.
• Divide the reserved panzanella between serving plates and top each with two crispy blossoms.

ZUCCHINI PANZANELLA RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice 1 zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick coins. Slice the remaining 2 zucchini crosswise into 2-inch-long segments; press on each segment with your hand (and body weight) to crush so the two rounded sides are flattened, then tear into bite-size pieces. Add all of the zucchini to a large colander set in the sink, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and toss. Let sit to drain, about 30 minutes.
• While the zucchini drains, heat a large skillet over medium. Add the bread and toss frequently with a wooden spoon until lightly browned and beginning to dry out, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons oil, the scallions and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and toss until the bread is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bread is crispy and evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. The scallions should be slightly wilted and browned.
• Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup to the pan. Toss frequently until the bread is evenly coated and the syrup has caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and set aside so the croutons can cool slightly while you finish the salad.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon oregano.
• Transfer the drained zucchini to a clean kitchen towel and blot dry. Add to the bowl with the dressing and toss. Transfer the croutons to the bowl, along with the olives and parsley, and gently toss to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.