Description
This Crispy Zucchini Grilled Cheese with Garlic Butter is a delightful twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Featuring tender, sautéed zucchini layered between a blend of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all encased in golden, garlic-buttered sourdough or whole-grain bread. Perfectly crispy on the outside and gooey inside, enhanced with fresh parsley for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Preparation
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 teaspoon salt
Bread and Butter
- 4 slices of your favorite bread (sourdough or whole-grain recommended)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchinis using a box grater and transfer the shreds to a colander. Sprinkle with salt, toss gently, and let sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Drain Moisture: After 10 minutes, use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini to ensure a crispy texture in the final dish.
- Sauté Zucchini: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add grated zucchini and freshly ground black pepper, cooking for 5-7 minutes until tender and slightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix softened unsalted butter with minced garlic until well combined. This will be spread on the bread for extra flavor.
- Butter the Bread: Spread the garlic butter generously on one side of each bread slice.
- Assemble Sandwiches on Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place two bread slices butter side down in the skillet. Layer shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on each slice, then evenly spread the sautéed zucchini on top of the cheese layer.
- Complete Assembly: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the zucchini, then top with the other bread slices, butter side up.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside melts to a gooey consistency.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the sandwiches from the pan and let rest for one minute to prevent the melted cheese from spilling out when cutting.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the sandwiches before serving for a fresh flavor and appealing presentation.
Notes
- Be sure to squeeze out excess water from the zucchini to achieve the desired crispiness and prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute the cheeses with your preferred melting cheese varieties.
- Use a non-stick skillet for even grilling and easy flipping.
- Letting the sandwich rest before slicing helps keep the melted cheese intact.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
