Ingredients for Zucchini Gratin
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 500 ml (about 2 cups) milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 zucchini
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ dessert spoon (about 1 tsp) salt
- 100 g (about 3.5 oz) kaşar cheese (Turkish semi-hard cheese, similar to mild cheddar)
How to Make Zucchini Gratin
- In a saucepan, make the béchamel sauce by sautéing 3 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of flour briefly. (Do not over-sauté.) Add 500 ml (about 2 cups) of milk and whisk with a hand mixer until cooked. (To prevent lumps.) Add 2 teaspoons of salt and stir. (If the sauce is too thick, add more milk.)
- Peel 3 zucchini, trim the tops and ends, and rinse. Cut them in half lengthwise. Using a zucchini corer or spoon, hollow them out in a gondola shape, leaving a border around the edges, and place them in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and ½ dessert spoon (about 1 tsp) of salt, and boil for 3–4 minutes. (They should be slightly undercooked, not too soft.) Remove the cooked zucchini from the pan with a slotted spoon. Place them in a glass baking dish. Pour the prepared béchamel sauce into the hollows. Distribute 100 g (about 3.5 oz) of grated kaşar cheese over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) until the cheese is golden brown.
About This Recipe
Zucchini is native to North America. A member of the dicotyledonous plant family, zucchini is used both as a fresh vegetable and dried for consumption. In some regions, Zucchini Blossom Dolma (Kabak Çiçeği Dolması) is made and is very well known. A staple of diet plans, zucchini is also extremely beneficial for our health.
*With a very low fat content but high energy value, zucchini is indispensable for those looking to lose weight.
*It helps fight cancer by preventing the proliferation of free radicals in the body.
*Thanks to the lutein it contains, it helps prevent eye diseases such as cataracts that can cause blindness. One cup of grated zucchini contains 500 milligrams of lutein.
*It helps the body eliminate harmful toxins through urine and stool.
*It is effective in preventing joint pain and strengthens the spinal structure.
*The iron, magnesium, and zinc minerals found in zucchini help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.
*Rich in potassium and magnesium, zucchini lowers bad cholesterol levels and helps prevent heart disease.
*It strengthens the immune system against summer allergies.
*It provides the body with resistance against upper respiratory tract disorders.
Now, on to our recipe — today we decided to prepare a light vegetable dish. Our Zucchini Gratin recipe is both very practical and incredibly delicious. Enjoy your meal in advance…
