Description
Skillet zucchini delivers a quick summer side that brings fresh garden flavors straight to your table. Sautéed with garlic and herbs, this simple dish comes together in minutes for an easy vegetable companion to any main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼ rounds
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Seasonings:
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon sweet paprika
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
Garnish (Optional):
- Black sesame seeds
- Dried mint or parsley flakes
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons brown sugar into a saucepan, heating at medium-high until mixture begins bubbling.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and allow mixture to simmer for exactly 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid reduces and thickens.
- Remove balsamic reduction from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large skillet, heating to medium-high until oil shimmers.
- Add 3 medium zucchini rounds to hot skillet, ensuring they are spread in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon sweet paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper over zucchini slices.
- Saute zucchini for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping occasionally to achieve golden-brown edges and soft texture.
- Transfer sauteed zucchini to a serving platter using tongs.
- Drizzle cooled balsamic reduction generously across zucchini slices.
- Garnish with black sesame seeds and dried mint flakes just before serving while dish remains warm.
Notes
- Slice zucchini uniformly to ensure even cooking and beautiful presentation.
- Let the balsamic glaze cool slightly before drizzling to prevent burning and achieve the perfect syrupy consistency.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the best golden-brown caramelization on zucchini slices.
- Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or thyme for added depth of flavor beyond mint and sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 to 30 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 102
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg