A Family Tradition: Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini Recipe | Just Like Granny | The Best Easiest & Delicious Recipes (2024)

Great For Zucchini or Yellow Squash

Hello, dear readers! Today, I'd like to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you: Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini. This recipe not only has a particular place in my heart, but it also has a long family history.

When my mother and her siblings were youngsters, they would frequently eat this meal as a snack or side dish. My grandmother, Granny Key, loved it and handed the recipe on to my mother. Moreover, to my amazement, I recently discovered that Granny Hayes, my mother's grandmother, also created this dish. It's incredible how many generations of my family have liked this dish.

Simple To Prepare

Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini is not only delicious, but also quite simple to prepare. All you need is 2 large zucchinis, washed and sliced long side into 4-inch strips, 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, 1 tbsp of sugar, 1-2 tsps of natures seasoning or Lawry's garlic salt with parsley (if you have none of those, use 1 tsp of garlic salt + 1 tsp of dried parsley), 1/2 tsp black pepper.

Begin by combining all of the dry ingredients in a mixing basin. First, wash your zucchini and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the ends of your zucchini and chop each one in half. Set the zucchini upright and cut it into 1/4-inch thick slices. Coat each zucchini in the dry mixture after dipping it in the melted butter. Be careful to thoroughly coat the zucchini with the dry mixture. Place each coated zucchini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. After all of the zucchinis are covered, sprinkle with a little more of the dry mixture and then top with some of the remaining butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown, in a preheated oven.

That’s All There is To it!

That's all there is to it! This delectable and simple dish is likely to become a family favorite as well. I hope you love Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini as much as my family and I have over the years.

My family has a long tradition of making Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini. My grandmother, Granny Key, invented the recipe because she enjoyed experimenting with different ingredients and flavors in her kitchen. She frequently offered this meal to her family as a snack or side dish, and it rapidly became a family favorite.

Granny Key's children continued to cook this dish and share it with their own children as they grew up and began their own families. My mother, who grew up eating this meal, inherited the recipe from her mother and has made it for my sibling and me for as long as I can remember. Granny Hayes, my mother's grandmother, also cooked this meal for her family, as I recently found.

It's incredible to think that this recipe has been passed down through numerous generations in my family for over 50 years. This recipe brings back memories of family reunions and wonderful times shared over a delicious dinner every time we cook it.

The History of This Recipe

While the precise origins of this meal are unknown, it has become a treasured family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. I'm thankful to have this recipe in my family and to be able to carry on the tradition of creating and sharing Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini with my own family.

A Flexible Side Dish

Oven-Baked Zucchini from Granny Key is a flexible meal that may be matched with a number of different foods.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Grilled or roasted chicken: The savory flavor of the baked zucchini complements grilled or roasted chicken well. Serve it alongside your favorite chicken meal.

  • Pasta: For a tasty and nutritious vegetarian supper, serve cooked zucchini on top of spaghetti. You may also add it to your spaghetti sauce for extra taste.

  • Fish: Baked zucchini is an excellent addition to fish meals, particularly grilled or baked salmon. The mild flavor of the zucchini pairs wonderfully with the fish.

  • Roasted veggies: For a substantial and healthful side dish, combine baked zucchini with other roasted vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions.

  • Tomato sauce: Roasted zucchini pairs well with tomato sauce and makes an excellent side dish for pizza or pasta. It may also be used as a topping on homemade pizza.

  • Burgers: For a healthy spin on a popular dish, serve roasted zucchini alongside your favorite burgers. The zucchini gives the meal a great texture and taste.

  • Soup: For a tasty and healthful addition, add roasted zucchini to your favorite soup recipe. It's particularly good in vegetable soups like minestrone or tomato soup.

Here are just a few suggestions for serving Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini alongside other foods. Be creative and try out different combinations to discover your ideal fit.

Leftovers & What To Do With Them

If you have any leftover Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini, make sure you store them carefully to keep them fresh and safe to consume.

Here are some recommendations for keeping cooked zucchini:

  • Let to cool: Before storing your cooked zucchini, allow it to cool to room temperature. This will prevent moisture from accumulating in the container, which can cause to deterioration.

  • Use an airtight container: Place any remaining cooked zucchini in an airtight container with a tight-fitting cover. For this reason, glass or plastic containers with locking lids work nicely.

  • Label and date: Make a note of the contents of the container as well as the date it was kept. This will assist you in keeping track of how long the baked zucchini has been in the refrigerator.

  • Refrigerate immediately: Once the baked zucchini has been transferred to the container, store it in the refrigerator as soon as possible. The reduced temperature will aid in the slowing of bacteria development, which can lead to foodborne sickness.

  • Usage within 3-4 days: Baked zucchini should be eaten within 3-4 days of being refrigerated. If you don't believe you'll be able to do it all in time, try freezing it instead.

  • Reheat properly: When reheating leftover baked zucchini, use caution. You may reheat it either in the oven or in the microwave. Make sure it's completely heated all the way through.

By following these instructions, you can keep your leftover Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini fresh and safe to consume.

The Crispy Finish!

Finally, Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini is a tasty and simple recipe that is suitable for any occasion. It's not just a family recipe that has been passed down through generations, but it's also a terrific way to use up fresh zucchini in the spring and summer. The savory breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated parmesan cheese combine to form a crunchy and tasty coating that matches the light flavor of the zucchini nicely. You'll adore this traditional meal whether you serve it as a side dish or integrate it into your favorite pasta or pizza recipe. So why not give it a try and find out for yourself how tasty it is?

A Family Tradition: Granny Key's Oven-Baked Zucchini Recipe | Just Like Granny | The Best Easiest & Delicious Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep baked zucchini from getting soggy? ›

Don't overcrowd the pan, which can cause the zucchini to steam instead of roast. Unless you have time to salt and drain the zucchini, wait to salt it until after they're cooked so the salt doesn't draw out the moisture in the oven—this can lead to sogginess.

Why are my zucchini boats soggy? ›

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked, it will have a mushy, soft texture. In certain recipes, the author may recommend that zucchini be patted dry or salted and drained before cooking.

How long to bake zucchini reddit? ›

Usually 20 minutes at 350 then under the broiler for a few minutes.

Does zucchini need to be drained before baking? ›

If you've ever wondered if you should try and squeeze out some of the water from your shredded zucchini before adding it to batter or dough, the answer (happily) is no! Zucchini recipes are written to accommodate their water content.

Why is my baked zucchini bitter? ›

Remove the Seeds: The seeds and surrounding flesh can sometimes contribute to bitterness. You can scoop out the seeds before cooking. Salt and Drain: Sprinkle salt on sliced zucchini and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture and bitterness.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cut it? ›

Mushy texture: A spoiled zucchini has a mushy or stringy texture when you cut it, and it may feel slimy to the touch. "Off" smell or taste: If your zucchini smells sour or foul in any way, or if it tastes unusually bitter, it has likely gone bad.

Why is my zucchini turning to mush? ›

Blossom End Rot

It's occurs due to the plants inability to get calcium. This can be caused by a few things: Watering inconsistency (the most likely cause especially if you've had a lot of rain) Soil PH is either too high or too low (do a PH test to check)

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

This, the outlet asserts, is due to zucchini's high water content: If it cooks too slowly, it will release its moisture before it sears, becoming soggy and sodden. Over high heat, on the other hand, zucchini becomes caramelized on the outside but retains a meaty, firm texture within.

Is baked zucchini still healthy? ›

Zucchini contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Cooked zucchini is particularly high in vitamin A, though raw zucchini contains slightly less.

Do you leave the skin on zucchini when making bread? ›

Don't peel the zucchini – Yes, it's tempting to remove the zucchini's skin, but there is no need to do that. Zucchini melts into the bread, so peeling is just an unnecessary step. Do grate the zucchini – I don't know about you, but when it comes to zucchini in bread, I want it there – but I don't want to see it.

Can dogs have zucchini? ›

Is Zucchini Good for Dogs? Zucchini is completely safe for dogs to eat in moderation. It's low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy and nutritious addition to both you and your dog's diets. This summer squash contains numerous vitamins, including A, C, and K.

How do you keep zucchini firm? ›

One of the keys to keeping zucchini fresh is to keep it as dry as possible, which means it's best to wash it just before using. To go a step further, you can pat zucchini down with a paper towel to absorb every bit of moisture before storing.

How do you firm up zucchini? ›

Arrange the zucchini pieces into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (It will stick to the pan if you don't line it first!) Freeze the zucchini for about 1 hour, until it's firm to the touch, then transfer it to an airtight container to preserve the flavor as you store it.

How do you store baked zucchini? ›

If you have prepared the zucchini on the grill or in the oven, it is important that they have cooled down completely, before moving on to freezing. Once cold, spread the zucchini on a tray or container where they can be well spaced. Freeze them for a couple of hours, then put them into a single freezer bag.

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