Pesto Zucchini Tomato Gratin


Fresh and beautiful- zucchini tomato basil gratin on gluten-free penne.

The taste of late summer? A garden fresh gratin. ... Back to school plans are revving up. July is a memory, August is soon to be. Garden veggies are ripe and abundant. So my question to you is, Dear Reader, do you love the classic combo of zucchini and tomatoes? Penne and basil? 

If you do, you're in for a treat.

Here is a favorite summer-inspired recipe updated from the archives- a basil and garlic laced gratin featuring sliced zucchini, artichoke hearts and fresh tomatoes. Use your favorite gluten-free crumbs on top (my current favorite crumbs for a crunchy golden topping are these cornbread crumbs). 

Serve it as a delicious vegetarian meal (spoon it on top of pesto penne pasta), or create it as a side dish- it cozies up well to grilled chicken, fish, turkey burgers or grass fed beef.

Happy Labor Day Weekend, y'all.

Karina xo



Pesto zucchini gratin with gluten-free bread crumbs

Karina's Pesto Zucchini Tomato Gratin Recipe

By Karina Allrich June 2007.

This tasty gratin is one of our favorite vegetarian recipes. You can use real Italian cheeses, or easily convert this recipe to vegan by choosing a dairy-free pesto and a good vegan "mozzarella".

Ingredients:

For the topping-

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Fresh or dried Italian Herbs or basil/oregano/marjoram, to taste

For the veggies-

3 medium zucchini, sliced in long pieces, 1/4 inch thick
5 cloves garlic, chopped
A handful of halved artichoke hearts
4 tablespoons prepared Favorite Basil Pesto or Cilantro Pesto Recipe
2-3 vine ripe tomatoes, sliced thick
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 pinch sea salt, to taste
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced (garlic marinated mozzarella rocks)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a gratin dish or large pie plate.

Place the toasted crumbs in a bowl and using a fork, toss with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to coat; season with Italian Seasoning or dried basil/oregano/marjoram.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the zucchini, garlic and artichokes, and sauté briskly just until the zucchini is a bit golden and still tender-crisp. Remove from heat and pour the veggies into a bowl to cool slightly.

When cooled, gently toss the zucchini mixture with the prepared basil pesto, to coat. Layer the pesto veggies in the gratin dish or pie plate.

Spread a scant third of the crumbs on the squash mixture. Layer with slices of mozzarella. Top with sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with balsamic vinegar. Season with sea salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the tomatoes.

Bake the gratin until it is bubbly and hot, about 20-25 minutes.

Serve as a side dish or on top of a bed of hot brown rice penne tossed with basil pesto.

Serves 4.


Recipe Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

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