Gratinated Zucchini

Gratinated zucchini with sour cream and cheese is a refined and delicious choice, perfect for both a light lunch and a savory dinner. We start by choosing the zucchini: if you have young zucchini, their skin is thin and full of nutrients, so we can keep it. Larger zucchini, however, may have tougher skin and seeds that are not very pleasant in texture, so in this case, we will peel them and remove the seeds. We cut the zucchini into large cubes, about 2-3 centimeters, to maintain their shape during cooking.

After cutting the zucchini, we will boil them in a pot of water and salt for about 5 minutes. This step will not only soften them but also intensify their flavors. Once boiled, we drain the zucchini well, ensuring that no excess water remains, which could affect the final texture of the dish. In a bowl, we add the drained zucchini and mix them with two tablespoons of breadcrumbs, which will help absorb any liquids and form a crispy crust at the end.

Now we move on to preparing the baking dish. We grease a baking dish with a little olive oil or butter, then coat it with breadcrumbs using the remaining two tablespoons. This step is essential to prevent the zucchini from sticking and to add extra texture. We place the zucchini in the dish, distributing them evenly.

In a separate bowl, we beat the eggs with the sour cream, adding the grated cheese (in this case, we opted for provolone, but you can use mozzarella or any other type of cheese that melts well). We mix everything until we obtain a homogeneous composition, to which we add a little pepper and salt to taste. This mixture will add a creamy and savory layer over the zucchini.

We pour the egg and sour cream mixture over the zucchini, ensuring they are evenly covered. We preheat the oven to 180 °C and place the dish inside, allowing the dish to bake for 40 minutes. In the end, the zucchini should be beautifully gratinated, with a golden and crispy crust. The aroma will fill the entire kitchen, and the taste will be a true delight. Serve them warm, as a side dish or as a main course, and enjoy a delicious and healthy meal!