A Great Way To Use All Those Zucchinis!

Randall's homegrown goodness - Golden Zebra and Magda zucchinis!

Randall's homegrown goodness - Golden Zebra and Magda zucchinis!

It's time to put all those garden grown Zucchinis to good use and this Shaved Zucchini and Arugula Salad with Olives is just the ticket! 

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 loaf of ciabatta bread, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 1 pound zucchini
  • 1-2 lemons, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 pound arugula, washed and dried
  • 4 sprigs basil, leaves torn
  • 1/2 cup olives, pits removed
  • 1/4 pound Pecorino Romano

PREPARATION

Preheat grill to medium-high or an oven to 420 degrees. Place bread slices in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and kosher salt. Grill bread until slightly charred on both sides or toast in oven until golden brown. Rub garlic clove on each slice of bread after toasted and set aside.

Meanwhile, thinly slice zucchini using a mandolin, vegetable peeler or sharp knife and place in a bowl. Toss with lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Add arugula and toss to combine. Add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice and 3/4 of the remaining olive oil. Gently toss and taste- add more lemon juice or salt if needed. Add torn basil leaves and olives. Toss gently one last time.

To serve: Place a mound of zucchini and arugula mixture on top of each piece of crostini. Shave Pecorino Romano on top and drizzle with olive oil. Serve.

This recipe is from CUESA, The Center For Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture. 

Serves 4-6

Lemon Verbena-Infused Delights

Photograph by Roland Bello 

Photograph by Roland Bello 

We love fragrant lemon verbena for its versatility in the kitchen. With summer in full swing, there are countless recipes to invigorate your plate with this garden fresh herb! Try out Bon Appétit’s Frozen Yogurt with Poached Peaches for a light and creamy dessert. Don’t have an ice cream maker? No worries, substitute ice cream with store-bought frozen yogurt or even Greek yogurt!

INGREDIENTS (Serves 8)

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • ½ cup honey

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • Pinch of kosher salt

  • 4 large ripe peaches (about 2 lb.)

  • 6 fresh lemon verbena leaves

  • 1½ cups Cocchi Aperitivo Americano (Italian aperitif wine)

  • ½ cup sugar

  • Âź cup chopped unsalted, raw pistachios

FROZEN YOGURT PREPARATION

Whisk cream, yogurt, milk, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a large bowl. Process in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer frozen yogurt to an airtight container or a shallow baking pan; cover and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

DO AHEAD: Frozen yogurt can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.

PEACHES AND ASSEMBLY

Using the tip of a paring knife, score an X in the bottom of each peach. Cook in a large pot of boiling water just until skins begin to peel back where cut, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl of ice water and let cool. Carefully peel peaches, reserving skins.

Bring lemon verbena, Cocchi Americano, sugar, reserved peach skins, and 1½ cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has thickened slightly and looks syrupy, 10–12 minutes.

Add peaches, cover saucepan, reduce heat, and gently poach fruit until the tip of a paring knife easily slides through flesh, 12–15 minutes. (Very ripe fruit will take less time to cook.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer peaches to a plate and let cool. Cut into wedges.

Meanwhile, return poaching liquid to a boil and cook until reduced by half, 15–20 minutes. Let cool, then discard solids.

Scoop frozen yogurt into small glasses or bowls and serve topped with peaches, some reduced poaching syrup, and pistachios.

DO AHEAD: Peaches can be poached 3 days ahead. Cover and chill in poaching liquid. Bring peaches to room temperature and reduce poaching liquid just before using.

Don't stop there! A quick addition of a Lemon Verbena Simple Syrup can infuse your whipped cream, crĂŞpe, sorbet or yogurt with refreshing flavor. Not to mention a thirst-quenching cup of iced tea, spritzer or summer cocktail! Stop in and shop our fresh selection of Lemon Verbena today!