Description
Zucchini butter, a silky spread from garden-fresh ingredients, delights home cooks with its simple preparation. Creamy and versatile, this condiment elevates sandwiches, toasts, and vegetable sides for you to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium-large zucchini (about 2.5 pounds / 1.13 kilograms)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided (60 milliliters)
- 3 whole garlic cloves
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground
Finishing Ingredient:
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (5 milliliters)
Instructions
- Warm a cast iron skillet over medium heat, adding olive oil to create a smooth cooking surface.
- Trim zucchini ends and discard any soft or seedy sections. Grate the vegetable using large holes of a box grater to create uniform shreds.
- Transfer zucchini into the heated pan, introducing whole garlic cloves and fresh thyme sprigs. Sprinkle salt and thoroughly combine ingredients.
- Simmer the mixture for 20-45 minutes, maintaining frequent stirring to prevent burning. Gradually reduce heat as the volume decreases, occasionally introducing a small water splash to prevent sticking.
- Once the mixture transforms into a thick, spreadable consistency, remove from heat. Extract thyme stems and mash garlic cloves into the zucchini base. Incorporate remaining olive oil, cracked pepper, and a splash of lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if required.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Squeeze excess water from shredded zucchini using a clean kitchen towel to prevent watery butter and ensure a rich, concentrated texture.
- Herb Flexibility: Swap thyme with fresh basil, rosemary, or oregano to create unique flavor profiles that complement different dishes and personal preferences.
- Low-Carb Option: This recipe naturally fits ketogenic and low-carb diets, making it an excellent spread for those watching their carbohydrate intake.
- Storage Hack: Refrigerate zucchini butter in an airtight container for up to one week, allowing flavors to develop and making meal prep easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg