Hey Foodies! As we start to get some cooling relief, you may be wondering what to do with all that delish zucchini you grew or picked up a local market! This mouth-watering recipe is one my Mom and I cherish. With just a little of your favorite seasoning and a light sprinkle of parm, you have the perfect side dish for any dinner!

The trick to making this dish, without getting a watery mess is the dehydrating process. By dehydrating with the below method, you'll get a finished product that is soft, and just the right bit of crispy. This trick can also be used in many Italian dishes (my Mom's specialty) and appears in the Italia class for our classic Eggplant Parm! Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Summer Roasted Zucchini

Prepare First

3-4 Large Zucchini

2 Tbsp Coarse Salt

Paper Towels

Seasoning & Roasting

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

1 Tbsp Seasoning (Kinder’s Brand – Caramelized Onion, Black Truffle, etc)

1/2 c Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese

*Prep & Dehydrating*

1. Rinse, dry then slice each zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the majority of the seeds.

2. Place zucchini boats on a thick paper towel lined baking sheet. Sprinkle coarse salt lightly on the cut side.

3. Top the slices with additional paper towels followed by another baking sheet to weight down, and let them sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The paper towels will absorb the excess moisture during this time.

   
   

*Seasoning & Roasting*

1. Preheat oven to 375F.

2. Wipe zucchini boats free of salt, and pat dry gently (do not use water, but thoroughly wipe off salt) with dry paper towels.

3. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet (or the same sheet pan free of any remaining salt and damp paper towels).

4. Rub with olive oil and generously crack desired amount of black pepper on top.

5. Roast for 10 minutes uncovered.

6. Remove from oven, reset oven to low broil.

7. Sprinkle seasoning of choice and freshly grated parmesan cheese on each zucchini boat.

8. Roast on broil until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, approximately 3-5 minutes.

9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Final Thoughts: Use your favorite seasoning profile or a different cheese such as feta with a sprinkle of lemon juice fresh out of the oven!