Zucchini

It wouldn't be summer without a few zucchini growing in the garden. You have to be careful not to plant too many, else wise you end up with more zucchini than you know what to do with.



I put in three plants this year and for awhile it was hard to give away the excess. (Everybody else was doing the same.) Then a slip of the knife accidentally cut off the top of one of the plants and we were down to two. That's a more manageable number!

We've found many good recipes for zucchini, but this has been our favorite this year. It comes from www.recipezaar.com

Enjoy!

Tomato/Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Like it or Lump it! Zucchini (Courjette) is a fact of life, and true to its inherent squash quality, they do grow to an enormous size. What does one do with so much zucchini? Make zucchini bread for bake sales, for pot lucks, for gifts at Christmas, for hostess gifts. or make a lovely tomato/zucchini casseroles for a nice change. The addition of salt in this recipe is rather discretionary, given the salt factor in the cheeses. Govern yourself accordingly. Although the salt item is included in the recipe, personally, I omit it entirely (once again, because of the cheeses).

by TOOLBELT DIVA

1¼ hours | 15 min prep

SERVES 4

• 3 medium zucchini, sliced thinly
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced fine
• 2 tablespoons onions, minced fine
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1. Preheat over to 375 F/190°C.
2. Combine cheeses, herbs, garlic, (optional salt), black pepper.
3. Thinly slice zucchini and tomatoes.
4. Butter an 8 inch, square pan.
5. Arrange 1/2 the zucchini slices in the pan.
6. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the cheese/seasonings mixture.
7. Add 1/2 the tomato slices
8. Sprinkle again with 1/4 of the cheese/seasonings mixture.
9. Add and arrange remainder of the zucchini slices
10. Sprinkle again with 1/4 of the cheese/seasonings mixture.
11. Top with remaining tomato slices.
12. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cheese/seasonings mixture.
13. In a small skillet melt butter and saute onion until soft.
14. Add bread crumbs and stir until the butter is absorbed.
15. Spread evenly over casserole.
16. Cover loosely and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
17. Remove cover and continue baking for addtional 20 - 25 minutes longer until top is crusty.