I think my body is longing for summer. It’s not only the fact that I’ve been cold for about two months straight, but also that I’ve been craving summer fruits and veggies. Zucchini isn’t in season right now and even though I usually like to eat my produce seasonally, I couldn’t help making this. When I crave a particular veggie I think of it as my body’s way of telling me what it needs…and I’ve been dying for zucchini, so I went with it. This dish was delicious, and in about seven months it will become indispensible when I’m looking for any and every way to use up the abundance of zucchini.
This gratin is easy to whip up and tastes fantastic in its simplicity. Served with a big green salad and some crusty bread it makes a wonderful lunch for two, or if you prefer, you can cook up some pasta to serve alongside.
Zucchini-Tomato Gratin
(Yield: Serves 2 as a light meal along with a green salad and some crusty bread)
1 ½ TB olive oil
1 small-medium (about ½ lb) zucchini, sliced into ½-inch thick rounds
1 very small onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
½ c tomato sauce
1 ½ oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1-2 TB fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375F.
Add oil to a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat; when oil is hot, add zucchini slices and sauté until browned on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). Transfer zucchini to plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil; turn heat down to low and add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft (about 5 minutes), stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if the pan gets too dry.
Pour the onions on top of the zucchini in the gratin dish and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper; spread the tomato sauce on top. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce, and bake 15 minutes.
Turn on the broiler and sprinkle the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top of the gratin. Broil 1-2 minutes (stay with it, this happens fast), until golden brown in spots.
Jen says
Now, I am craving zucchini and may not be able to hold out for summer either! Your gratin looks so good with all of that melted cheese - delicious!
Emily Z says
Yum, now you have made my hungry for zucchini! This looks absolutely delicious! So nice and cheesy!
Magic of Spice says
I know how you feel, I have been wanting to scoop up the zucchini I have been seeing...This is ideal comfort food in my book :)
zerrin says
Oh! I am so much familiar with that feeling. I craved for sauted zucchini some time ago and I couldn't wait for summer. This zucchini-tomato gratin looks scrumptious! I love the combination and the cheese topping is so tempting!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
I just picked up the perfect dish for a gratin! Love the combo here. Beautifully made!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
Ah yes summer longings are beginning here too. Glad I bought a bag of frozen blueberries, it helps. This gratin looks scrumptious indeed. Good new groundhog says spring is right around the corner today!
Krista says
Faith this has to be my favorite dish I've seen since my return from Australia. Simple, savory and so delicious. I love it and will be heading to the store for zucchini post haste!
Patty says
Isn't it wonderful how you can transport yourself to Summer with a couple of tomatoes and some zucchini whipped into a delicious dish???
tasteofbeirut says
These two flavors are so timeless and so wonderful I could eat them in any season. Love the gratin idea for now! :)
Victor @ Random Cuisine says
I made something very similar, we call it vegetable tian. I'm a big fan of casserole dishes. It is so delicious and comforting.
Lentil Breakdown says
You sure it's not the cheese you're craving? : )
nancy at good food matters says
Faith, as much as I strive to eat seasonally, I don't do it all the time either. The lure of summer foods can be so strong in the winter doldrums. This week I bought some zucchini, and cooked it in a simple tomato sauce (I used some roasted summer tomatoes in my freezer!) and served it over pasta.
That said, your gratin looks scrumptious--winter or summer
Joy (The Herbed Kitchen) says
Beautiful and so much lighter than all the usual meat-heavy meals of winter.Your dish makes me long for summer evenings with their casually prepared dinners and glasses of white wine. Soon!
Rich says
Faith, I am definitely craving summer, too - or anything that involves heat right now! This looks like it's got a little of both, and it looks fantastic!
grace says
all it takes is seeing the word 'gratin' to get my belly growlin'. this is one heck of an appetizing dish!
theUngourmet says
I'm so ready for zucchini season too! ;) Your gratin looks amazing. Such a terrific meatless meal!
Lori@FakeFoodFree says
I hear you! I find myself day dreaming about the Farmer's Market and looking through seed books. I love winter, but I'm in need of the fruits and veggies of summer!
FOODESSA says
Gratins made this way is so comforting...especially with some crusty bread to ease the way ;o)
I sometimes make a similar dish with some roasted Roma tomatoes...yum!
Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Reeni says
This is like a burst of summer Faith! But comforting enough to be a satisfying winter meal! Delicious!
Juliana says
Faith, this gratin looks delicious, love the melting mozzarella on it...love it!
Raina says
Yum! This is my kind of dish! Funny, I have been craving eggplant parm. This sounds even better. I will be snow bound again tomorrow. I wish I had bought some zucchini. Maybe, next week...thanks:)
A Canadian Foodie says
And I just made eggplant parmesan... so similar = yet, different, too... but cheesy and warm and comforting! I am going to have to put this on my zucchini list for the fall. You are right. It will be perfect for then... and the ones around here this time of year are huge with big seeds and just not nice.
:)
valerie
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
Some day I wanna bake a tomato and bacon gratin for my husband.This looks absolutely amazing.And though it was almost summer in Vegas a week back, the temp have dropped again and its again chill.Perfect weather to have an affair with such cheesy stuff..drooling!!
Anna Johnston says
I'm the same, about mid way through a season I start thinking about food from the next season, by the end of the season I go a bit crazy devouring every new season's veg & fruit. I bet this tomato zucchini gratin just melted in your mouth with a promise of summer huh :)
Erica says
owww- this looks cheesy and yummy! I'm definitely longing for summer too...I just am not a winter or even fall baby.
BeadedTail says
Oh I love zucchini and this certainly looks delicious! Yum!
Priya says
Wat a cheesy and irresistible gratin,lovely..
blackbookkitchendiaries says
what an amazing dish. i will definately be making this along with a big serving of crusty bread! thanks for sharing this.
Lu @ Done Dieting says
I had almost made it without craving zucchini and then I see this. I want to officially invite this dish over to my home and provide it with room and board. Seriously perfect in many ways.
Blond Duck says
This looks so good. I've been wanting to find more veggie dishes for Ben!
Mimi says
Simple flavors, fast and easy to make, a perfect recipe.
Mimi
briarrose says
Wow that looks wonderful. Definitely a lovely comfort food there. :)
Nicole, RD says
Zucchini is, without a doubt, one of my top 3 favorite vegetables. It's so versatile and (usually) very inexpensive! I agree with your theory on cravings...if your body wants it, I believe its your body's way of knowing what it needs :) Saving this recipe for sure! Yum!
Sanjeeta kk says
What a lovely combo and delicious dish!
Carol says
Absolutely love that dish, just delicious, and your pictures makes me want a big plate of that now!
Heavenly Housewife says
What a wildly naughty way to prepare veggies daaaaahling :) I love it.
*kisses* HH
Barbara says
One more zucchini dish to add to my repertoire, Faith! That looks wonderful. Lots of cheese...yummy!
MaryMoh says
Looks fabulous and delicious. It looks like pizza to me with all the melted cheese until if I bite into it....mmm
Sharon says
My oh my how good does that look! I would totally want a huge slice even though I don't take too well to cheese lol. Love zucchini, never know when the season is though. Brilliant recipe and photos as always! :)
Rosa says
Delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Cherine says
A wonderful gratin! Looks so cheesy and yummy :)
Angie's Recipes says
mmm...zucchini, tomato...I think I just saw the sunshine ;-)) This looks so delish!
Mia says
Hey and i am craving winter here and dreading summer , ha ha , but not the summer produce , jus the heat and not fancy'n airconed home too muc , but i thank God for having that:-)
Loveee the idea of the crusty bread and salad with the gratin...and u have the absolutely delicious Zucchini and tomato paired together beautifully in this gratin!
Katerina says
My body longs for summer too. Here is freaking cold and my body is so dry that itches everywhere. Your vegetable gratin looks perfect and so packed with flavors.
lequan says
i was at the grocery store this past weekend and was craving for zuchinnis also, but didn't end up buying them as i didn't really have a new recipe for them. now i wish i would've bought them. love your zuchinni tomato gratin, Faith. this would go perfect with the flatbread that Valerie just taught me to make. thanks for sharing.
Monet says
I've also been craving summer produce. And this gratin looks just heavenly to me. You can't go wrong with vegetables and cheese! Thank you for sharing such a creative and delicious recipe with me...and thank you for all your kind words on my blog. I hope you have a safe and warm day tomorrow...we're about to get very cold in Austin!
honeybeecooksjackfruit says
Youre a girl after my own heart! I saw this and immediately my stomach started rumbling. I love things with tomatoes and cheese (and zucchini too). Im also wishing for warmer days.
Swathi says
Zucchini tomato gratin looks delicious.
Victoria says
Oooh, I always crave summer veggies when it's not summer, especially zucchini and tomatoes! This looks so comforting and satisfying :)
Veronica says
Oh, drool! This sounds so nice. I'm sorry your cold has been hanging on so long! Are you still suffering from it or has it finally cleared up?
admin says
Veronica, You are so sweet for asking! My cold actually isn't hanging on though. I don't have a cold, I just AM cold, lol! (We're lucky if our daytime temps are in the teens these days!)
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
For sure making this soon <3 I've been OD-ing on veggies and cheese lately
Dana says
I made something similar to this for Christmas, except it didn't have tomatoes. This sounds absolutely delicious, no matter what the season!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
I don't doubt that you're ready for summer after the brutal winter storms that your area has been enduring! Hope the wonderful flavors of tomato and zucchini transported you to a warmer place for a while :)
Maria @ Scandi Foodie says
Gratin is always delicious, summer or winter! :-)
Aipi says
OMG that looks absolutely gorgeous wish i can have the whole plate :)
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