Easy Italian Zucchini Stew
This quick and easy Italian Zucchini Stew will make a nutritious, delicious side dish that will complement any main dish. Zucchini is chopped and simmered with only 5 additional ingredients (not counting salt and pepper). A simple dish like zucchini stew will enhance any meal, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Our Italian Zucchini Stew
This recipe for Italian zucchini stew happens to be a very popular dish throughout Southern Italy. And, it is quick, simple to make, and loaded with flavors. It’s no wonder this was our mom’s favorite vegetable dish.
Zucchini is a terrific vegetable. The good news is – that it’s not just a summer vegetable. You can find fresh zucchini on produce selves all year long.
We love to use this vegetable for various meals all year. Not only do we sauté, and even roast it, but we love to make some of our treats as well. Be sure to try our lemon zucchini muffins and triple chocolate zucchini bread recipes, next!
We love serving our mom’s recipe for her easy Italian zucchini stew with some of our favorites dishes. It pairs well with any meat and poultry dishes, like our London Broil Steak Grilled to Perfection, and our Parmesan Crusted Turkey Cutlets, just to name a few.
It’s so delicious – we can’t wait for you to try this recipe!
Should We Peel or Scrape the Zucchini?
No need to. However, I prefer to lightly scrape the skins off using a knife, especially if they are not organic. But it’s totally your preference.
Ingredients Needed for Easy Italian Zucchini Stew
You probably have most of the ingredients needed for this recipe. For our Italian zucchini stew, here are the following ingredients you will need:
- a couple of fresh zucchini
- one large onion
- some garlic
- fresh ripe tomato
- a bunch of fresh basil
- extra virgin olive oil
- seasonings: salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper
- and one large skillet with a lid
How To Make Easy Italian Zucchini Stew?
This recipe is a simple two-step process. Don’t forget our full recipe card is located at the bottom. However, you can easily follow our directions here.
1. First, grab a large skillet, heat olive oil on moderate heat, and toss in the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them for a few minutes.
2. Next, toss in the chopped zucchini, tomato, and fresh basil. Sauté for a few minutes on high heat, stirring occasionally.
Then let the magic begin! Cover with a lid and continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender to the bite.
This simple method will bring out big and bold flavors, turning zucchini into an amazing flavorful side dish! Every mouthful is an eruption of flavor! Trust me on this one.
Important Tips For Success!
- The secret to sautéing this Italian zucchini side dish is the level of heat you cook it with. (See my notes on the recipe card)
- If you prefer your zucchini tender to the crunch, then it’s best to sauté on “high” heat. This method will cook the vegetables quickly, but you will need to stir them often, so they won’t burn on the bottom.
- When you sauté zucchini, it will release water while cooking, making the skillet watery. However, when it’s sautéed on high heat and uncovered, this will help eliminate some of the excess water. This way, you are not actually boiling them, causing them to be soft or mushy.
- Once the zucchini stew is simmered to your preference, to a tender crunch, turn off the heat and serve.
How To Store Zucchini Stew?
Allow the stew to cool completely before storing. Then transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and store in your refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
What To Do with Leftovers?
Leftover zucchini stew is wonderful to add to soups. Add some into an omelet or a quiche. Or create a simple zucchini bruschetta with the leftovers and enjoy it for lunch the next day.
Additional Options to Serve with Zucchini Stew
Zucchini stew is one of those dishes you can serve as a side and will complement practically anything. So try it with any of these recipes:
- Roast or Bake Branzino with Lemon
- Parmesan Crusted Turkey Cutlets
- Chicken Cutlets with Garlicky Asparagus
- London Broil Grilled to Perfection
- Baked Salmon with Dijon Basil Pesto
- Chicken Rollatini with Ham, Cheese & Spinach
Don’t forget! Tried our Easy Italian Zucchini Stew? If you do, please let us know and leave a comment with a star rating. We’d greatly appreciate it. Have fun and snap a photo and share it on Pinterest, and be sure to tag or hashtag us. We’d love to share them with the world.
More Delicious Recipes for Zucchini…
- Zucchini Sticks Oreganata
- Zucchini Tomato Sauce Over Fusilli Pasta
- Mom’s Best Zucchini Omelet
- Zucchini Pepperoni Pizza Boats
Easy Italian Zucchini Stew
Easy Italian Zucchini Stew will make a nutritious, delicious side dish that will complement almost anything you serve it next to. Simple, full of flavor and will make a FABULOUS dish.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium-size onion - diced
- 3 garlic cloves - minced
- 4 small or medium-size zucchini - cubed
- 1 ripe tomato - chopped
- 8 leaves of fresh basil - chopped
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
- optional: 2 dashes of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Saute both until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Toss in the zucchini and chopped tomato. Turn the heat under the skillet to "high." Season with salt, and fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Toss in fresh chopped basil. Stir to combine the mixture. Quick Note: this will be quick to flavor and infuse all the vegetables together and on high heat before they are covered and simmered on low heat.
- Then cover with a lid. Lower the heat to a "low" setting and simmer the stew for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Since zucchini is a water-based vegetable, the zucchini will naturally release its juices creating a broth, enough to keep the vegetables from burning.
- Taste, and adjust the seasonings, as needed. When zucchini is softened, or tender to the bite, they are ready. Turn off the heat.
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve. Serve warm.
Notes
Tips for Success...
- The secret to sautéing this Italian zucchini side dish is the level of heat you cook it with. See my notes on the recipe card.
- If you prefer your zucchini tender to the crunch, then it’s best to sauté on “high” heat. This method will cook the vegetables quickly, but you will need to stir them often, so they won’t burn on the bottom.
- When you sauté zucchini, it will release water while cooking, making the skillet watery. However, when it’s sautéed on high heat and uncovered, this will help eliminate some of the excess water. This way you are not actually boiling them, causing them to be soft or mushy.
- Once the zucchini stew is simmered to your preference, to a tender crunch, turn off the heat and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 8.7gSaturated Fat: 1.3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 112mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 3.3gProtein: 2g
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Stay Healthy … and Happy Cooking! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
xo Anna and Liz
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Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
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What a great way to use zucchini in the summer when everyone is trying to share their bumper crop! 🙂
Yes, but everyone can make this zucchini stew all year round… enjoy Susan! thanks for stopping by.
xo