Zucchini Stir Fry#Foodieextravaganza

A courgette / zucchine is a variety of squash / edible fruit, usually long and available in yellow and green, which is used to make vegetable as well as in other sweet or savory dishes. 

In Maharashtra it is called Gilke. Do you know that Zucchini is very low in calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.  Have started eating zucchini in last few years, because, earlier this was an exotic vegetable, expensive and not readily available. But now in winters we get these in plenty and reasonably priced , it's also available through out the year but at a high price. I have started to love this vegetable.  

For Foodie Extravaganza {Party} event this month the theme is Zucchini! Our host is Sue Lau. Thank you Sue for hosting this event and choosing a wonderful theme.

Let's make this quick and simple stir fry. 

Ingredients

5-7  Zucchini Green & Yellow -  meduim sized and  tender
1 Teaspoon Cumin seeds½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds

¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida

¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder

1 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder

Salt to taste
2 Tablespoons Oil
Chopped Coriander to garnish

Method

Chop the ends, wash zucchini gently, but properly (don't bruise the skin). Cut into half vertically and then cut into 2-3 mm slices.

In a pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds , when they splutter, add cumin seeds when they start to brown, add asafoetida,  immediately slide in the zucchini. Sprinkle salt and turmeric, stir once and cook on high flame for 2 minutes. Cover and cook on medium low flame for 3 to 4 minutes.  Open  the lid,  add chilly powder, mix well, cook for another  two to three  minutes (do not overcook or else they will become mushy since it's high in water content)

Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with coriander. Enjoy as a side dish or with rotis.  

Labels : Foodie Extravaganza Party, Zucchini, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Healthy, Vegan, Gluten free

Posting day for #FoodieExtravaganza is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out HERE.

See all the other recipes of today's Foodie Extravaganza:
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes from Jolene's Recipe Journal
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Cookaholic Wife
Greek Inspired Breakfast Casserole from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Grilled Zucchini Salad from Food Lust People Love
Sugar-Free Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles from Palatable Pastime
Zucchini Corn Fritters from Caroline's Cooking
Zucchini Frittata from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Zucchini Pizza Rounds from Our Good Life
Zucchini Sandwich Bread from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Zucchini Stir Fry from Sneha's Recipe

Composed Panzanella Salad With Shrimp And Zucchini #Fishfriday

Panzanella is a Tuscan salad of bread and tomatoes that is  mostly made in the summer. It has chunks of stale bread and tomatoes, with different add in like onions and basil, dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

I have been watching food channels and where they toss a  Panzanella salad, was tempted to try it immediately.  But as the saying "Man proposes and God Disposes" was always the mantra that came my way.   

When  our Host Hosted by Sidsel McOmie choose the theme "Salad Using Seafood" for Fish Friday's event.  This was on my to do list, has seen the light of day.   Incidentally,  somehow,  all ingredients  including the cooked shrimp was there in my refrigerator.  Bought the crusty Brun bread (see the pic here).  

I was ready to make the Composed  Panzanella Salad !

I wanted to serve this as a composed salad,  hence,  nicely arranged my panzanella salad on a large  square glass tray  or if you have  wood cheese board then that's best for this salad. 

This humble panzanella salad was our  meal in itself!  

Serves : 3 as a meal  
Ingredients
For the Sun-dried Tomato Dressing 
3 Tablespoons  Homemade Sun-dried Tomatoes
2 Garlic cloves - chopped
1 Big Ripe Tomato - chopped
3 Tablespoons  Parmesan cheese  - grated
A Juice of  Large Lemon
2 Tablespoons White Wine
1 to 1.1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A pinch of Salt 
1/2 Teaspoon Black pepper powder
1/2 Teaspoon Paprika powder
Veggies for the  salad
2 Medium size zucchini, cut into large cubes or pieces 
4 -5 Button Mushrooms - halved
Extra Virgin Olive Oil  as required
Salt and Pepper  to taste
3 Large Tomatoes - cut into wedges
2 Scallions / Spring onions - chopped
2 Loaf Crusty Bread -  cut into small cubes -
200 Grams  Large Cooked Shrimp
3  - 4 Slices of Chicken Salami
Feta cheese as required  - I used 150 Grams
Handful of Fresh Mint or Basil leaves  - I used Basil

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

First Step  

Toss the zucchini  cubes and mushrooms in some extra virgin olive oil, and spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake at 200 degrees  for 10 minutes, tossing  it and again for another 10 minutes. 
After 20 minutes remove the zucchini from the oven and reduce the oven heat to 180 degrees.  

Now toss the bread cubes with a generous amount of olive oil. Spread on a large lightly oiled baking sheet, season with black pepper only, and bake in the 180 degrees  in the oven for 15 minutes or until the bread cubes are crisp and golden.

As these are getting baked let's prepare the 
Sun-dried Tomato Dressing.
Second Step

In a blender, add all the dressing ingredients except the extra virgin olive oil. Blend. While the mixer is running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil through the tube. Let the mixer run until the dressing is well-blended and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your taste. Pour into a serving bowl. Cling wrap it and refrigerate until you are ready to serve the salad.  

If anything is remaining use it as  dip or a sandwich spread! 

Let's arrange the Composed Panzanella  Salad

Place a small bowl of the Sun-dried Tomato Dressing in  the center of the tray or wood cheese board. Then begin to arrange the ingredients on the tray beginning with the wedges of  tomatoes. Add the roasted zucchini, green onions, the cooked shrimp,  chicken salami, , cheese, and fresh herbs around the tomatoes, scatter the crumbled feta cheese across the salad .Keep  the bread on one side . 

Take a plate and fork in hand -  help yourself with a little of everything and drizzle the Sun-dried Tomato Dressing on top and Enjoy!  ... yum ..yum !!

Labels : Salads, Panzanella Salad, Zucchini, Mushroom, Brun Bread, Homemade Sun-dried Tomatoes, Sun-dried Tomato Dressing, Chutneys & Dips, French Cuisine, Fish Friday

Oven Baked Zucchini Fries

Crisp, tender zucchini oven-roasted. It's healthy, nutritious and completely addictive! Couldn't stop eating this. It was simple to make and so fresh, delicious, so good. Made this for dinner.

Ingredients
1 Large Zucchini,
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
3/4 Cup Plain Bread crumbs
1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Method

Oil a baking pan well.

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees . Wash the zucchini, cut off the ends and cut it into "fries". Toss with the olive oil, making sure that every piece is well coated.

Add the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and salt. Cover the olive oil coated zucchini pieces with the bread crumb mixture (shake off excess breadcrumbs).  

Then place them on your baking.  

Bake for about 20 minutes, until the zucchini looks crispy and golden, and is soft when pricked with a fork. 

Note
I had cut the zucchini a thin and peeled it I would suggest do not peel it and cut them in thick wedges, cause the one I made turned soft since they were cut like french fries.

Labels: Blogging Marathon, Zucchini, French Fries, Healthy snacks, Vegetables 

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