From courgetti to cake: our top courgette recipes
Whether you're running out of ways to use up a glut or just searching for inspiration, we've got the perfect courgette recipes to whip up in the kitchen. From (GNHQ taste-tested) crunchy fritters to decadent chocolate courgette cake, these gransnetters' recipes will have you racing to the veg aisle...or garden!
Savoury delights
Quick and easy recipes that require minimal amounts of effort, but taste great too! Who knew you could do so much with this simple green vegetable?
Fritters: "Courgette fritters are yummy. Combine 225g of grated courgette, two beaten eggs, four tablespoons of chopped onion, eight tablespooons of plain flour, eight tablespoons each of grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, and salt to taste in a medium mixing bowl. Stir well to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. To cook the fritters, heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil over a medium heat in a frying pan. Drop in heaped tablespoons of the fritter mixture into the frying pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until they are golden on both."
Courgette cake: "Using the fritters recipe, add another two eggs and one and a half tablespoons of baking powder, and it will make a cake. Bake it in a 25cm springform tin at 200°C for 35-40 minutes. Nice with feta cheese instead of the mozzarella, and pinenuts too."
Courgette soup: "Depending on the size and amount, I make courgette soup. It is made with one pound of courgettes, one finely chopped onion and sufficient chicken stock to cover. Simmer until the veg has softened and then blend until smooth. You can add grated or soft cheese to make it into cheese and courgette soup. Season to taste and enjoy."
Courgette, lemon and pistachio salad: "Salad with griddled courgettes, preserved lemon, mint, ras-al-hanout, pearled spelt and green pistachio nuts."
Courgette muffins: "Grate the courgettes, and squeeze out the excess fluid. Add the grated courgette to a batter of self-raising flour and eggs and a little oil, plus a finely chopped onion, salt and pepper. Then bake (I use oiled foil containers). You can add grated carrots too."
Veg side dish: "I sauté sliced courgettes with onions, garlic and lardons. Add a carton of tomato passata, a dash of wine, balsamic vinegar and a handful of fines herbs and simmer together. Lovely as a vegetable side dish, especially the next day when the flavour has intensified."
Grilled courgettes with lemon, yoghurt and pine nuts: "This is absolutely delicious if you like uncooked garlic. We eat it with other salads and an interesting Mediterranean bread or with grilled fish and couscous."
Stuffed courgettes: "You can use virtually anything! I like panko*, chopped tomatoes and spring onion and feta."
*A Japanese-style breadcrumb (we weren't the only ones who Googled).
Courgetti: "I spiralize mine along with a carrot and either stir-fry with soy sauce and rice wine, or serve with a pasta sauce. My spiralizer also acts as a slicer for potatoes, apples and cucumber and a juicer for citrus fruits. A good buy from Amazon for about £30."
Chargrilled courgettes: "Very, very lightly brush a hot frying pan with oil and put thick slices of courgette on the pan and sear them until they are nearly chargrilled on both sides. They sort of cook in their own juice which caramelises. They should not be soggy."
And for dessert...
If you're more interested in satisfying your sweet tooth, try one of these recipes chock full of the green stuff. Which practically makes these desserts a health food in our humble opinion...
Courgette and carrot chocolate brownies: Let's not ignore the chocolate cake's smaller, but just as mouthwatering, cousin. "It's a great way to use up courgettes and carrots. Very easy to make and delicious."
Chocolate and orange courgette cake: "This is really delicious and, for those who don't like courgettes, I can assure you that it doesn't taste of courgettes in the slightest. Lovely as a dessert with cream or ice cream."
Chocolate courgette cake: "Very easy and a great favourite in our house. Takes less cooking if done as sandwich cake."
For more food inspiration, see our daily dinner ideas or visit our food forum. And if you have a recipe you would like to share, why not add it to our recipe library?
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