Grilled Zucchini with Goat Cheese and Basil Vinaigrette

Summer squash floods my miniature garden. Every morning I am rewarded with gaping yellow blooms which evolve into succulent green fingers. Zucchini is a bane, a blessing and sometimes a curse especially when you see that baseball bat hidden among spiny green leaves. Summer is in full swing and with it the garden that gives. In that spirit I grill these lovely tender veggies.

My verdant basil bush yields more than enough for a quick vinaigrette. Basil, garlic, salt pepper and extra virgin olive oil blended, result's in a thick puree. Zucchini is halved, seasoned and grilled. You could do the grilling on an outside gas or charcoal grill or very easily on a stove top one. Both work well, though I prefer the smokiness of the outside grill. Chop the grilled zucchini into half moons. Dribbles of vinaigrette coat the zucchini. Goat cheese crumbles are my new best friend. I love their soft, salty texture. They are scattered over the veggies and the plate goes on to the table. 


GRILLED ZUCCHINI WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE
Serves 4


2 smallish Zucchini
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
2 tablespoons Goat Cheese Crumbles
2 tablespoons Basil Vinaigrette

Basil Vinaigrette

1/2 cup Basil leaves
1 Garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin Olive Oil



Make the vinaigrette by blending basil leaves, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil till you have a thick puree. Scrape puree into a container. Cover the surface with cling film so the puree doesn't discolor.

Start your outdoor grill. 

Cut the ends off the zucchini. Halve them lengthwise.

Coat the cut surfaces with olive oil,

Season with salt and pepper.

Grill cut side down for 5-6 minutes. Flip over and grill for another 2 minutes.

OR heat a stove top grill till smoking. Follow the same directions for grilling the zucchini.

Take zucchini off the grill and cut into 1/2 inch chunks. Put them on a plate.

Drizzle about 2-3 teaspoons of basil vinaigrette over zucchini.

Scatter goat cheese crumbles over zucchini and enjoy.

This side is so light and refreshing. It offsets the meaty steak and potatoes. We grill romaine as well. That's another story!

Pin It