Grilled Zucchini Summer Sandwich

We seem to have spent the first part of the summer everywhere but home, eating dinner out of the house and expanding our repertoire of dishes that travel well. But now that school is out and we have settled into summer, we find ourselves home more often. The combination of being home more and not wanting to cook in the 100-degree heat has us turning more and more to the grill. I know that grilling requires standing over a hot grill which is its own challenge on a scorching day, but at least it is quick, and the heat stays outside.

This recipe is my way of using up one of those giant zucchini that I inevitably take possession of once or twice during the summer. Do you have the same experience? Maybe a family member or neighbor gives you one, or you find one hiding under a large leaf on that zucchini plant that you somehow missed when you last harvested. For me, it's having that vegetable garden an hour away that did it. So last week we were the proud owners of a Great Zucchini. It reminded me of the vegetables in Wallace and Grommit's Curse of the Were-Rabbit, or that Gilligan's Island episode where they plant the radioactive seeds from NASA and grow gigantic vegetables.

I find that these huge zucchini are often not that tasty to eat on their own. The peel and the seeds can be tough so I usually just use the flesh to make zucchini bread. But this year I wanted to try something different. I noticed that sliced across, the zucchini are the perfect size for a sandwich roll. The grilling softens the slices and adds excellent flavor. Topped with a bit of basil -- purple in this case -- a slice of mozzarella, and loaded into a toasty bun they made a delicious summer sandwich.

The kids all tucked into these, and Olivia and Oscar polished theirs off. Chloe ate about half of hers before declaring that she didn't like it, but I thought that was not bad for my most finicky eater.

And I still have half a zucchini left to make more or to make zucchini bread. Or, given its size, I may have enough for both.

Grilled Zucchini Summer Sandwich

The kids ate these as sandwiches with the whole bun, but Gabe and I ended up eating them as open-faced sandwiches, and we each ate two.  With some veggies or a salad on the side, it's enough for a meal.

I think basil and zucchini are an excellent summer combination, but the zucchini has a neutral enough flavor that you could vary the combination in a number of ways. A chipotle mayonnaise would be an excellent addition, as would a dash of hot sauce like sriracha.

Serves 6
10 minutes preparation time
20 minutes cooking time

approximately 1/2 of a giant zucchini, peeled, and sliced into rounds
1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced
approximately 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
10-15 basil leaves
8 ounces mozzarella or other melting cheese such as fontina or cheddar
6 sandwich buns
toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, tomato, or sliced onion

Heat the grill. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and garlic, and add a couple of dashes of salt and a grind or two of pepper. Brush the zucchini slices on both sides with olive oil. Grill them until they are browned on the bottom, then turn them to cook on the other side. When you turn them to cook on the second side, add a basil leaf or two and a slice of mozzarella. Grill until they pierce easily with a fork and the cheese has melted.

Brush the buns with the remaining olive oil and toast them quickly on the grill. Load the zucchini patties into the bun, top with whatever you like, and eat them while they're hot.

Print Recipe

Comments

[Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama]

This is one of my favorite ways to eat zucchini too! There's just something about grilled zucchini and melted cheese on some yummy bread! Happy summer!

[elizabeth]

WOW! These look great. I am always looking for ideas for those LARGE zucchini. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings, Elizabeth

[Teresa]

Mmmm! Grilled zucchini sounds so good...

[Carey]

My CSA box had a HUGE zuke yesterday. I usually do grilled zuke burritos but you are right, the size makes for perfect rounds.