A quick sear of thickly cut zucchini can produce a wonderful side dish.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine English
Keyword zucchini
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Servings 4servings
Ingredients
3small zucchini6 to 8 inches each
1tbsp.vegetable oil
1pinchKosher salt and black pepper
1 ½tbsp.unsalted butterplus more to taste
1cloveclovepeeled and smashed
1sprigrosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1pinchCoarse sea saltfor serving
1pinchLemon zestfor serving
1tsp.Red-pepper flakesfor serving
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Trim the zucchini lengthwise on two opposite sides to create flat edges. Reserve the scraps for your other zucchini dishes. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise into two planks that are about ½-inch thick.Pat them dry with a paper towel, pressing gently but firmly on both sides to absorb any moisture.
Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high. Add the oil and heat until it’s almost smoking. Add the zucchini.Season with salt and pepppe, cooking for about 3 minutes or until 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 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.