Patrick Oconnell
Zucchini melts are a delicious summer treat, but does zucchini cheese melt? The answer is yes, and it's a great vegetarian option. The zucchini is grated and sautéed in butter or olive oil with a pinch of salt, creating a creamy texture that pairs well with melted cheese. This mixture can be used in sandwiches, or as a topping for pasta or pizza. The key to success is to ensure the zucchini is well-drained and seasoned before cooking, and that the pan is heated to the right temperature to allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread.
Does Zucchini Cheese Melt?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cream Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Romano, Parmigiana, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Havarti, Muenster, Swiss Cheese |
| Type of Zucchini | Summer Zucchini, Squash |
| Recipe | Zucchini Melts, Casserole, Fritters, Lasagna, Pasta |
| Preparation Method | Grated Zucchini, Sliced Zucchini, Grated Cheese, Sliced Cheese |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Butter, Garlic, Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Red Pepper, Habanero |
| Bread | Marble Rye Bread |
| Cooking Method | Grilled, Toasted, Baked, Broiled, Sauted |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 minutes per side, 20 minutes covered, 20 minutes uncovered |
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What You'll Learn
Zucchini melt sandwich recipes
Zucchini melts are a delicious summer treat and a great way to enjoy zucchini. They are essentially grilled cheese sandwiches with a zucchini-based filling. The zucchini is grated and mixed with cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and whole-grain mustard. This mixture is then slathered onto marble rye bread and toasted until golden brown and melted.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium zucchini (about 4 ounces)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 6 ounces shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices marble rye bread
- Softened butter
Method:
- Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater to get about 1 1/4 cups.
- Place the grated zucchini in a colander set inside a large bowl and sprinkle with kosher salt. Toss to combine and let it sit for 30 minutes to drain excess liquid.
- Squeeze the zucchini with your hands to remove any remaining excess water.
- In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini with the cheese mixture.
- Butter one side of each slice of marble rye bread.
- Build the sandwiches: Spread the cheese mixture on 4 slices of bread, then top with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place 2 sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
- Repeat with the remaining 2 sandwiches.
Variations:
You can also add other ingredients to the zucchini melt sandwiches to suit your taste. Some options include:
- Scallions
- Parmesan
- Cornstarch
- Egg
Zucchini-based grilled cheese:
Another option is to make a zucchini-based grilled cheese sandwich. In this version, the zucchini is grated and sautéed with butter or olive oil and a pinch of salt until melted. This creates a creamy base that can be mixed with grated or sliced cheese. Seasonings like garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano can also be added. The zucchini and cheese mixture is then placed on bread and grilled to perfection.
Vegan option:
For a vegan option, you can try a roasted zucchini sandwich. Thinly sliced zucchini and red bell peppers are roasted until tender and then placed on crusty bread or ciabatta with sun-dried tomato whipped tofu spread. This sandwich is flavorful and creamy, with a boost of protein from the tofu.
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Melting zucchini
"Melting" zucchini is more about the result than the technique. The process involves grating the zucchini, ridding it of excess moisture, and then sautéing it in butter or olive oil. This results in a creamy, melt-like consistency that pairs well with gooey cheese in a grilled sandwich.
Zucchini melts are a delicious and comforting summer dish. They are a cross between a grilled cheese sandwich and a panini. The basic recipe involves mixing grated zucchini with cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and whole-grain mustard, and then toasting this between two slices of marble rye bread until the cheese is melted and the bread golden-brown.
There are a few tips to keep in mind when making zucchini melts. Firstly, ensure your zucchini is at room temperature and well-drained to remove any excess moisture. Secondly, season your cheese mixture well with salt and pepper to allow the flavours to shine. Thirdly, cook your sandwich over medium-high heat to ensure the bread is toasted and the cheese melted without burning.
There are also variations to the basic zucchini melt recipe. You can use sliced cheese instead of grated, simply layering the melted zucchini between the slices. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Havarti, or Muenster. Additionally, you can add other ingredients to the zucchini and cheese mixture, such as red peppers, garlic, onion, tomatoes, basil, thyme, oregano, or other fresh herbs.
Zucchini melts are a creative and tasty way to enjoy zucchini, and can be adapted to suit your personal preferences.
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Grated zucchini
To prepare grated zucchini for zucchini melts, it is important to first remove any excess moisture. This can be done by sprinkling the grated zucchini with salt and letting it sit for about 30 minutes before squeezing out the excess water. The zucchini can then be mixed with the cheese and other ingredients. It is also possible to sauté the grated zucchini with butter or olive oil before adding it to the sandwich, which gives it a creamy texture that pairs well with the melted cheese.
In addition to zucchini melts, grated zucchini can be used in a variety of other dishes. It is a common ingredient in bread, muffins, and other baked goods, adding moisture and a subtle vegetable flavour. Grated zucchini can also be used in savoury dishes such as burgers, pasta, and stir-fries. It can be added to soups and stews, and it can even be frozen for later use. When using grated zucchini in baking, it is important to note that the zucchini may need to be peeled and de-seeded first, especially if it is a more mature zucchini, as the skin can become tough and bitter.
Overall, grated zucchini is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. From sandwiches to soups, zucchini melts to zucchini bread, grated zucchini is a delicious and healthy way to add extra flavour and moisture to your favourite recipes.
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Sliced zucchini
Preparing the Zucchini:
Start by washing and slicing one medium zucchini. You can also grate the zucchini if you prefer a more melted consistency. Place the sliced zucchini in a colander set inside a large bowl. Sprinkle it with kosher salt and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This process helps draw out excess moisture, preventing your sandwich filling from becoming watery. After 30 minutes, squeeze the zucchini gently to remove any remaining liquid.
The Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, combine your choice of shredded or sliced cheese with cream cheese, whole-grain mustard, salt, and pepper. Common cheese options include sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Havarti, or Muenster. You can also add fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary to infuse extra flavour into your mixture. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined and season generously to highlight the cheesy flavour.
Assembling the Sandwiches:
Butter one side of marble rye bread slices generously. To build the sandwiches, take four slices of bread and spread the cheese mixture on top, using a butter knife. Close each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, ensuring the buttered sides are facing outwards. You can also add sliced or chopped vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or onions to your sandwiches for extra flavour and texture.
Cooking the Sandwiches:
Heat a large skillet or grill over medium-high heat. Place two sandwiches in the skillet and cook until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted, which should take around 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked sandwiches to a cutting board and cover them to keep them warm while you cook the remaining sandwiches. Slice the sandwiches in half and serve them immediately while the cheese is still melted and gooey!
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Other zucchini melt recipes
Zucchini melts are a delicious and comforting summery grilled cheese sandwich. They are also a great way to use up any zucchini you may have in your garden. The basic recipe involves grating zucchini, mixing it with cheese, and toasting it between two slices of bread. Here are some other zucchini melt recipes to try:
Tuna Melt Stuffed Zucchini
This recipe takes the classic tuna melt and turns it into a low-carb option by replacing the bread with zucchini. To make this, preheat your oven to 350°F or 400°F. Halve the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving about an inch of flesh if you want a richer filling. Drizzle the zucchini with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before baking for 12-20 minutes. For the filling, mix drained tuna, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, dill, pickle relish, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Once the zucchini is tender, fill it with the tuna mixture and top with sliced tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
Zucchini Grilled Cheese
For a veggie-loaded, low-carb grilled cheese, you can make zucchini patties and use them as the bread in a grilled cheese sandwich. To make the zucchini patties, combine grated zucchini, egg, scallions, Parmesan, and cornstarch in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet and scoop about 1/4 cup of the zucchini mixture into the pan, shaping it into a small square. Cook two patties at a time and cook until lightly golden, about 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining zucchini mixture. To make the grilled cheese, place two zucchini patties side by side in the skillet and top with cheese. Place the remaining two patties on top to form sandwiches and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes per side.
Zucchini Pizza Boats
For a zucchini melt recipe that is more of a main course, you can make zucchini pizza boats. Slice the zucchini in half and scoop out the center. Brush the zucchini with olive oil and roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until tender. For the filling, use cooked ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage mixed with tomato sauce or marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Fill the zucchini boats with the meat sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.
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Frequently asked questions
Zucchini melts are a summery grilled cheese sandwich. The zucchini is grated and mixed with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and whole-grain mustard, then toasted between two slices of marble rye bread.
First, grate and drain the zucchini, then mix with salt and pepper. Next, butter the bread and spread the zucchini mixture on top. Close the sandwiches and cook on a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
You can use either grated or sliced cheese. Good options for zucchini melts include Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Havarti, and Muenster.
Yes, you can add other ingredients such as bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs to zucchini melts. You can also experiment with different types of cheese.
