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a large tapas serving of Spanish garlic zucchinis

Spanish Garlic Zucchinis with Shaved Parmesan

Byron
Spanish garlic zucchini (Calabacin al ajillo in Spanish) is the unsung hero for easy veggie tapas or as a side dish. Ita fantastically easy recipe that combines the full flavors of the grilled zucchini slices with lots of olive oil, garlic, and freshly chopped parsley.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
resting time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course appertizer, Side Dish, tapas, vegetarian
Cuisine Authentic Spanish recipe, spanish, vegan option, vegetarian
Servings 4 tapas or side dish
Calories 127 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towel
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
  • 12 inch (30cm) skillet or frying pan

Ingredients

  • 1-2 large zucchinis courgettes around 10oz/300 grams each
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley half a handful is plenty
  • Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions
 

Step 1 - Prepare Zucchinis

  • First wash your zucchinis and pat dry with a towel. Next cut them into rounds approximately ½ inch/12.5 mm thick.
    1-2 large zucchinis
    sliced zucchini sits on a chopping board
  • Lay out on a plate and season generously with sea salt on both sides. Leave for 30 minutes.
    Sea Salt and pepper
    salted zucchini in a pan

Step 2 - Prepare the garlic and parsley sauce

  • Chop the parsley and finely crush the garlic until it is almost a paste. Add a teaspoon of oil to a large frying pan on high heat. Add the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant (around 1-2 minutes).
    6 garlic cloves, Fresh parsley
    a small glass ramikin sits on a wooden board filled with sliced garlic
  • Remove from the pan and add both to a bowl and slowly add around half of the remaining olive oil and mix well.
    3 tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil
    fried garlic in a pan
  • Check consistency and season with some salt and pepper to taste. Set aside for use later.
    garlic and parsley sauce in a small bowl

Step 3 - Cook Zucchini rounds

  • Add zucchini rounds to a colander and rinse off excess salt. Pat dry with a towel.
  • On a medium-high heat, leave the pan to heat up for around 2-3 minutes. Once very hot, add the zucchini rounds whilst being careful not to crowd the pan. Be sure to keep the rounds in a single layer.
    salted zucchini in a pan
  • Add a little olive oil and turn once one side is golden (around 3 minutes). Repeat on the other side and cook for 3 minutes.
    fried zucchini in a pan
  • Remove from the pan and place onto a plate with some paper towel to remove any excess oil.

Step 4 - To serve

  • Add your cooked zucchini rounds to a serving plate and season lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Add a generous amount of the garlic and parsley sauce over the zucchini.
    a large tapas serving of Spanish garlic zucchinis
  • Top with some slices of shaved parmesan (optional) and serve.
    Parmesan cheese
    Some Spanish garlic zucchinis sit on a white plate topped with shavings of parmesan cheese

Video

Keyword easy recipe, Easy tapas, easy to make, garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley, Spanish garlic zucchini, Spanish tapas, zucchini recipe