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. 

 

What to serve with our Italian Zucchini Stew?

Our zucchini stew will pair 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.

Zucchini is a terrific vegetable.  Not only do we cook, saute, fry, and even roast it, but we love to make some of our treats as well, like our lemon zucchini muffins and our triple chocolate zucchini bread.  

But unfortunately, zucchini in the United States is a very undervalued vegetable.  But thanks to the countries around the Mediterranean sea, zucchini is very valued and diversified by their local cuisines.   

This recipe for 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.

 

 

For this easy Italian zucchini stew, you will need…

• A couple of 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

 

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.

How To Make Easy Zucchini Stew:

This recipe is a simple two-step process…

1.   First, grab a large skillet, heat olive oil on moderate heat, and toss in the chopped onion and garlic.  Saute them for a few minutes. 

2.  Next, toss in the chopped zucchini, tomato, and fresh basil.  Saute 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.

 

GREAT TIPS For SUCCESS! 

• The secret to sauteing 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 saute 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 saute zucchini, it will release water while cooking, making the skillet watery.  However, when it’s sauteed 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. 

 

What to serve with our Zucchini Stew…

• 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

 

 

More Delicious Recipes for Zucchini…

• Zucchini Sticks Oreganata

• Zucchini Tomato Sauce Over Fusilli Pasta

• Mom’s Best Zucchini Omelet

• Zucchini Pepperoni Pizza Boats

 

Yield: 6 servings

Easy Italian Zucchini Stew

Print

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.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 23 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

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

1. In a large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Saute both until softened, about 3 minutes.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Taste, and adjust the seasonings, as needed. When zucchini is softened, or tender to the bite, they are ready. Turn off the heat.
5. Transfer to a serving platter and serve. Serve warm.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6 servings

Serving Size:

1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 8.7gSaturated Fat: 1.3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 112mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 3.3gProtein: 2g

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	105
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.7g	11%
Saturated Fat 1.3g	6%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 112mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	3%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 3.3g
Protein 2g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 29mg	2%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 402mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a

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Thanks for stopping by!  

 xo Anna and Liz