Pan Seared Zucchini Recipes

SEARED ZUCCHINI WITH CRISPY PARMESAN AND BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high for 2 minutes. (This will help you get a good sear.) Heat the oil, and when it shimmers, salt the zucchini and add it cut-side down in one layer (you will need to do this in two batches), and cook, undisturbed, until it begins to turn golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more on the other side. Remove from the pan and set aside on a serving plate; repeat with remaining zucchini.
• While the second batch cooks, add the pepper to a small saucepan and toast over medium heat until it becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the butter (it will quickly foam), and stir until the butter melts and the foam subsides. Remove from heat. Quickly add the grated cheese and stir vigorously to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom of the pan. It will melt in spots, it will crisp in spots and it will form frico-like clumps.These are all good things!
• Spoon the butter over the seared zucchini, making sure to catch all the black pepper and fried cheese bits, and shower with the herbs. Season with flaky salt, if you please.

PAN-SEARED ZUCCHINI WITH GARLIC AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, toss zucchini with kosher salt until the salt has coated most of the slices.
• Line a sheet pan with a clean dish towel or paper towels. Spread zucchini out on the paper towels and let rest for 20 minutes. (This will draw out moisture to give the zucchini a more concentrated flavor and better texture as it cooks.)
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl (you can use the same one you used to salt the zucchini, but wipe it out first), whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and garlic.
• After zucchini has been resting for 20 minutes, roll it up in the dish towel / paper towels and gently rub it to remove moisture that gathered on its surface.
• Heat a large skillet with cooking oil over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer.
• Add zucchini to the heated skillet in a single layer (do this in batches if needed; be careful not to crowd the pan or it won't brown). Let it sit in the hot pan, without turning, until golden brown on the bottom, 4 to 7 minutes. Gently flip the zucchini and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until tender, 6 to 7 minutes more.
• Add warm zucchini to the bowl with the olive oil dressing and toss gently to combine.
• Just before serving, fold in basil.

PAN-SEARED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Trim the zucchini lengthwise on two opposite sides to create flat edges. Discard or compost the scraps and cut the zucchini in half lengthwise into two planks that are about ½-inch thick. (If you're using larger zucchini, you may get three planks from each one). Pat them dry with a paper towel, pressing gently but firmly on both sides to absorb any moisture.
• Heat a large (12-inch) cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium high. Add the oil and heat until it's almost smoking. Add the zucchini, spacing them evenly in the pan and pressing lightly with a spatula so that the planks make contact with the pan. Sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper and cook for about 3 minutes, until the zucchini is nicely charred on the bottom. Lower the heat to medium, flip the zucchini, and season with salt and pepper again. Cook for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the bottom is charred.
• Turn the heat to low and add the butter, garlic and rosemary. Carefully tilt the pan, letting the garlic and rosemary cook in the butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the butter has begun to brown. Spoon the butter over the zucchini, and cook for another minute, flipping them a few times to coat both sides with the butter.
• Transfer the zucchini to a serving platter, along with the garlic and rosemary, and spoon any butter that's left in the pan on top. Top with coarse sea salt, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes, and serve hot.

EASY PAN-FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Rub zucchini slices with garlic.
• Place flour, egg, and bread crumbs separately in 3 small bowls. Turn zucchini slices in flour, dusting off excess. Dip in egg and turn in bread crumbs.
• Heat oil in a skillet and pan-fry breaded zucchini in batches on both sides until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

PAN-FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Wash and dry the zucchini. Trim off ends, then slice zucchini into 1/8 inch thick rounds. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl, and toss in zucchini slices, mixing thoroughly to coat.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place all of the zucchini pieces into the hot oil and fry over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Watch zucchini closely, adding more oil if it begins to brown too quickly. When it is golden brown on one side, flip it over to brown on other side. It will clump together as it cooks, that is what you want.
• When zucchini is evenly browned, turn heat down to low and cover pan with a lid. Allow it to steam until zucchini is slightly tender. Turn zucchini, replace lid, and steam until soft. Remove lid and turn heat back up to medium-high. Fry on both sides until crisp. Serve hot.

CRISPY PAN-SEARED CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using the tip of your knife, deeply score cut sides in a crosshatch pattern, spacing about 1/2" apart. Toss zucchini and 1 tsp. salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels (discard any liquid in bowl).
• Meanwhile, coat a large cast-iron skillet with 1 Tbsp oil. Season chicken on all sides with 1/4 tsp. pepper and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and arrange in cold skillet (skin side down) in a single layer. Heat over medium and cook, undisturbed, until skin is deep golden brown and chicken is almost cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Turn chicken and continue to cook just until cooked through and lightly browned underneath, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter (skin side up).
• Arrange zucchini (cut side down) in hot chicken fat in skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until surfaces are charred, 6-8 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until skin side is browned, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to platter with chicken.
• Heat garlic and remaining 6 Tbsp. oil in a small saucepan over medium until garlic is sizzling and just barely beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Add chile and olives and cook, stirring occasionally, until chile starts to sizzle and brown slightly, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in oregano and lemon zest.
• Spoon garlic oil over zucchini and chicken. Squeeze some lemon juice over and serve with additional wedges alongside.