If you’re a gardener or you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who has a garden, it’s likely that you’re swimming in summer squash right about now. I like zucchini bread as much as the next girl and I think a garlicky summer squash sauté is the perfect summer side dish, but there comes a time when you just want something different. Adding cheese is a great way to take summer squash to the next level. Because cheese makes everything better, right?
This gratin is actually like a really thick, cheesy chowder and the flavorful cheese sauce is definitely what makes the dish. The vegetables sort of melt down into the sauce, while breadcrumbs and a sprinkling of cheddar form a nice crust on top. It’s an easy recipe to make too, the only thing to note is that you’ll want to factor in 15 minutes for the summer squash to release their excess water; just slice the squash, salt it, and let it sit in the sink to do its thing while you work on the rest of the recipe.
As a side dish you can pair this gratin with just about any meat you want to grill up, or you can serve it along with thick-sliced tomatoes and good crusty bread for a vegetarian meal for four. It reheats well, so it’s a great dish to bring to a summer potluck!
Here are a few more zucchini recipes you might enjoy:
Cinnamon and Nutmeg Zucchini “Applesauce” by An Edible Mosaic Roasted Vegetable Crustless Quiche with Basil and Pine Nuts by An Edible Mosaic The Best Zucchini Pancakes by I am Baker Zucchini and Lemon Spaghetti by Oh My Veggies Zucchini Pizza Crust by RecipeGirl
