Zucchini e Pomodori Gratinati (Zucchini and Tomato Gratin)

Description

A quick and easy vegetarian dish for two, or a starter for 4, or even a side. A rustic Italian favorite, taught me by my Roman friends. If serving as a main, then crusty bread, torn off the loaf by hand, and a green salad with a lemon and/or lime vinaigrettey dressing cannot be bettered.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 large clove garlic, crushed
  • 4 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
  • 4 large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
  • ΒΌ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Move the oven rack into the top third of the oven.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
  3. and spread zucchini slices into the skillet in a single layer. If they don’t fit
  4. cook them in batches. Sprinkle pieces of garlic over zucchini
  5. and cook until zucchini are golden brown on both sides
  6. about 8 minutes per side. Remove from heat.
  7. Arrange slices of zucchini in a 9×12-inch glass baking dish
  8. alternating with slices of mozzarella cheese and tomato
  9. so that the slices overlap each other in a neat row pattern. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and basil over the dish
  10. and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and brown and the dish is bubbling
  12. about 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 2

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