Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sautéed Zucchini with Garlic and Lemon and Give-Away





This past Saturday I received a weekly box filled with produce from local farms.  Our box this week was overflowing with tangy-sweet oranges, a 10 pound cauliflower (no joke), thick spinach, and lots of winter greens.  I love getting my produce like this, but there are times when I think, "Now what I am I going to do with a 10 pound cauliflower?"  So, a few years ago I bought the book "Perfect Vegetables" by Cooks Illustrated and this book has saved me many times in the kitchen.  There are multiple recipes for almost any vegetable imaginable and I've never been disappointed with any of the recipes.  Last week I had several pounds of zucchini that I couldn't decide what to do with, used this recipe, and everyone at the table devoured it...including the kids! 



Sometimes zucchini can be bitter but their method of salting it ahead of time helps draw out the bitterness.  Grated, sautéed, and sprinkled with fresh lemon juice; this will be a staple in my kitchen for many years to come.



I know we are all looking for new ways to cook vegetables so I'd like to give away the book "Perfect Vegetables" to one of you.  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me what your favorite vegetable is and how you like to prepare it.  Leave your comment between now and Sunday at 12pm and I'll draw a name at random and announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!





Sautéed Zucchini with Garlic and Lemon
After you soak the zucchini the rest of the recipe takes less than 5 minutes.
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated
Serves 4

5 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon coconut oil*
1 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Shred zucchini on large holes of a box grater.  Toss zucchini with 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt and pour into a colandar.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Lay a clean dish towel on the counter and pour zucchini on top.  Fold towel over zucchini and wring out any excess moisture.

Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering, but not smoking.  Add zucchini and spread out evenly in pan.  Cook without stirring for about 2 minutes, or until bottom layer begins to brown.  Add garlic and stir zucchini and then cook "new" layer until it browns, another 2 minutes.  Take off heat and add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately.

*To read more about Coconut Oil click here.

49 comments:

  1. One of my favorite vegetable recipies uses zucchini also. I slice mine, toss with olive oil, sliced onions, minced garlic, salt and pepper. I then spread it out on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Even my husband, who is not a vegetable lover, asks for more!

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  2. Cooks Illustrated "Roasted Broccoli" is my favorite, here is the recipe.... there is only a little sugar and it really browns the broccoli. 500 degrees for 9 min.
    Serves 4. Published January 1, 2008. From Cook's Illustrated.
    Trim away the outer peel from the broccoli stalk, otherwise it will turn tough when cooked. For Roasted Broccoli with Garlic, stir 1 tablespoon minced garlic into the olive oil before drizzling it over the broccoli.

    Ingredients
    1 large head broccoli (about 1 3/4 pounds)
    3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    1/2 teaspoon table salt
    1/2 teaspoon sugar
    Ground black pepper
    Lemon wedges for serving

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  3. I would have to say that one of my favorite vegetables is asparagus. You can do so much with it and it is always flavorable. Roasting with a little olive oil and kosher salt is my quick weeknight means of preparing it.

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  4. One of my favorite vegetables is asparagus. I like to roast it with olive oil and sea salt. Yum!!

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  5. How could you receive a box of local produce in January? Is it greenhouse grown, or do you live in a year 'round temperate zone?

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  6. My favorite veg? Difficult question. How to choose? --Don't!

    Roasted cauliflower
    Caprese salad
    Grilled Zucchini
    Guacamole

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  7. Guilty; I'm one of those non-vegetable people. Even when I take the time to prepare a vegetable from a great recipe I find myself chewing quickly, avoiding my tongue so I don't taste it, and swallowing with a big gulp of water. Terrible right? I wish I liked veggies. I even went vegetarian to FORCE myself. I'm still a work in progress!

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  8. Kathleen: We live just outside of L.A. so there are many farms that harvest year-round here.

    Girly Green Girl: You crack me up!

    Kristin: mmmm..that sounds really good. I need to try that one.

    Sarah: I like the idea of a little sugar to sweeten things up!

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  9. I love broccoli! Any way but raw. Especially delicious sauteed with garlic and sprinkled with some parm

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  10. Fresh, organic asparagus, lightly steamed and served with a knob of butter. Simple but heavenly !

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  11. I really like easy no fuss vegetables! This is a really nice picture. What a great giveaway!

    I have a question for you. What website could I go to see how I can find out about getting fresh vegetables from farmers?

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  12. My latest favorite vegetable are Brussels Sprouts. I've recently become obsessed with them. Almost every night I cut them in half, rub olive oil,salt and pepper on them and then roast them in the oven for 15 minutes or so. They come out sooo delicious.

    Simple, quick, and healthy!

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  13. Artichokes, hands down. I love veggies (and also got a GINORMOUS cauliflower in my last CSA box!), but artichokes will always be near and dear to me.

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  14. My all time favorite veggie is corn with salt, pepper and a little butter. I grew up eating a very small variety in vegetables and still prefer plain and easy! Enjoy your blog very much.

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  15. Hi! I'm a new reader... fantastic recipes and pictures!!

    Come visit mine anytime too!

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  16. I haven't met a vegetable that I don't like. But I DO desperately need some new ways to prepare them, especially so that my man and my kiddos don't turn up their noses. I'll eat them any which way!

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  17. My favorite vegetable is corn. I love it grilled on the barbeque in foil with butter and salt and pepper. By the way...I found your blog this last week and can't get enough of it. Thank you for helping me cook organic!

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  18. ALL vegetables are favorites of mine. However, green beans, asparagus, cauliflower... any of these... with brown butter sauce & lemon. Cook the butter over low heat ever so slowly till it smells nutty. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and pour over crisp steamed vegetables. A bit of S&P - that's all. GMcD

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  19. It's a toss up between broccoli and green beans. I love to eat either one blanched and then sauteed with garlic and a little fresh lemon to finish!

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  20. This is a great recipe. Lemon thyme or other herbs for that matter add a nice aroma. Thanks! Rick Perry www.scratchchef.com

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  21. Ohhh..this is too hard. I can't pick JUST ONE!!!!

    How about a few of my favorites? Well, basically anything ROASTED....tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes,eggplant, butternut squash.

    Although, it's a hard to beat a vine-ripened summertime tomato. Oh, and fried yellow squash with just a pinch of sugar and cornmeal.

    Oh, and let's not forget brussel sprouts. I love them as a "hash"...I chop them up finely and brown in a skillet. Then toss with caramelized onions and a bit of crispy bacon.

    Okay, as you can tell I'm OBSESSED. I can never just have a single favorite when it comes to food. I'm going to stop typing now.

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  22. My favorite vegetable would have to be broccoli. I would say tomatoes, but I am a firm believer that they are actually fruits. I usually just steam my broccoli and add some Parmesan cheese, salt, and minced garlic. YUM! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  23. Broccoli! Any way, really, but especially sauteed with a little bit of garlic.

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  24. I absolutely love roasting yams and sprinkling some cinnamon on top!

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  25. Right now my favorite vegetable is the leek. I've been getting these big beautiful leeks in my veggie box and so far I've make leek and mushroom strata; cooked the leeks with potatoes and fish, and made leek and potato soup.

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  26. Broccoli~ When I was a kid, I loved it steamed with cheese whiz. As an adult I recently discovered roasted broccoli. I toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Roast it at 450 until the florets are brown and crunchy.. we call it burnt broccoli!

    Love your site!

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  27. I absolutely love spinach. I wash them well, I don’t dry them then I lightly steam/cook them for 2-3 minutes in a saucepan with 3 spoons of olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic and a little bit of Himalayan salt then I add a table spoon full of sesame seeds …this is the secret! They become absolutely delicious and crispy!

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  28. Noelle: You can look on www.localharvest.org. The company I use is www.abundantharvestorganics.com but I think they are only for CA but you could check.

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  29. I would say my favorite raw vegetable is green bell pepper. My favorite cooked vegetable is asparagus. Like many others, I line a baking sheet with tin foil, then put the asparagus on it. I drizzle lots of olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. I roast it at a high temperature. Divine.

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  30. well i have an insane sweet tooth so my favorite veggie is the sweet potato! you can do sooo much with it and its nutritionally fantastic

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  31. Asparagus picked right from our garden is my favorite. They are so tender and sweet it is like eating candy!

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  32. I love corn on the cob in the fall, loaded with butter. Who said vegetables had to be healthy?!

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  33. Hey Carrie! Hope you are loving Cali! This looks so yummy and will be trying it tomorrow night! My favorite veggie dish is also Seven's favorite: sauteed fresh corn kernels with fresh chopped spinach, a little salt, and a just a splash of heavy cream. Yummy.

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  34. I love zucchini cakes. They are so delicious and complement many things (chicken, fish, ribs), or are great on their own. Also, my twin boys love them and that solves my problem in getting them to eat vegetables!

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  35. My favorite vegetable is sweet potatoes. I have yet to eat a bad sweet potato, no matter how they are prepared. The best way, however is roasted. They are delicious!

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  36. Broccoli steamed with a little bit of Parmesan cheese and freshly made bread crumbs.

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  37. So.. this may lead me to try zucchini in another form other than zucchini bread!! Thanks for expanding my veggie trying ability with all your yummy recipes!!

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  38. My favorite veg are beets and my favorite way to eat them is roasted, on a salad with walnuts, blue cheese and balsamic/olive oil/honey dressing. YUM!

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  39. WOW! I admire people who can cook and people who are all natural and organic. I will screw up boiled water! The pictures are so beautiful...makes me hungry! Stopping by your yummy blog from SITS!

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  40. brussel sprouts baked in bacon juice...

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  41. I like veggies, especially fresh from AHO, like broccoli, green beans, and summer squash. But I'm enjoying some new (to me) ones like beets and kale and chard.

    The recipe looks yummy and I can't wait to try it.

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  42. One of our favorite dishes is with french cut green beans. First, you sautee some onions with a few cloves of garlic in olive oil, then add the grean beans. In a separate bowl wisk together a couple eggs. Pour it on top of the grean beans and stir until the eggs are fully scrambled and cooked. Its delicious

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  43. I love using zucchini and squash together. I saute it wilth onion, olive oil and garlic and then bake in the oven 8-10 minutes on a cookie sheet. So yummy! Thanks for the chance to win. I can't wait to try your recipe as well.

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  44. My current favorite vegetable is kale. I cook it in lots of ways (baked kale chips, shredded and stirred into stir fries or curries), but most often I just blanch it briefly and then saute it with a little salt and olive oil. Mmmm it's lovely and toothsome without the squeaky-tooth feel of spinach or chard.

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  45. My favorite veggie? Garden fresh tomatoes, brand new baby carrots, spring fresh asparagus, garlicy green beans, little tiny new potatoes and juicy radishes which are only juicy when they're straight from the garden.

    It's the weekend...I don't make decisions on the weekend!

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  46. I love all veggies...my favorite are dandelion greens...they are a bitter green and many people don't like them...

    they grew as weeds in our backyard when I was growing up...

    now I have to pay a fortune for them in specialty shops...

    I do grow them in our garden during the growing season as well...

    they are very very good for you and have medicinal properties as well...

    My favorite way to eat them is sauteed in olive oil and garlic...there are some dishes I simply CANNOT add coconut oil too as much as I am trying to make the switch!

    I really have to find a milder version.

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  47. I love your blog! Thank you for the whole wheat tortilla recipe too, will be visiting often!

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  48. loved reading what everyone's favs are. giving me good ideas. i just discovered parsnips. they are a little sweet and nutty. i roasted them in coconut oil with S&P. the are really good. i'm not usually one to try a new veggie on my own.

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  49. i know i'm too late for the book but without a doubt life would be much duller without artichokes. raw, steamed, grilled, baked, boiled, fried, I can't stop, marinated...

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