Zucchini, White Bean, and Tomato Gratin
This colorful and versatile recipe comes from Dara Baylinson of Potomac, Maryland, who says it’s one of the few vegetarian recipes that she makes that her children also love. It can also be served as a hearty side dish for company, or served over rice or orzo.
Ingredients
- 8 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme or use 1 1/2 tsp. fresh
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil or use 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 zucchini quartered lengthwise and chopped, about cups6 – 7 total
- 15 oz. diced tomatoes with their liquid, or use 4 fresh diced tomatoes
- 15 oz. canned cannellini beans drained and rinsed, or use 1 1/2 cups home-cooked beans for every 15 oz. can
- 1/4 tsp. salt or to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup seasoned panko or bread crumbs use wheat/gluten-free, if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large heavy skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. oil over medium to medium-high heat and sauté the onions, garlic, thyme, and basil for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the zucchini and sauté it with the onions for about 10 minutes until both are tender and the onions are starting to brown.
- Add the tomatoes, beans, and salt to the skillet, bring the mixture to a low boil and simmer it, covered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, in a large measuring cup or medium bowl, combine the cheese, panko or bread crumbs, and 2 tsp. oil.
- Smooth the zucchini mixture into the baking dish. (At this point you can refrigerate the casserole and the bread crumb mixture separately for up to 24 hours, if desired.)
- When ready to cook, top the casserole evenly with the bread crumb mixture. Transfer it to the oven and bake it for 10 – 15 minutes until the topping is browned. If necessary, put the casserole under the broiler for a minute to finish browning the topping. Serve it immediately.
Slow Cooker Directions
- In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, prepare the topping as directed. There is not need to saute the vegetables in advance. Simply combine everything except the topping in the slow cooker, then spread the topping as directed. Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 3 - 4 hours. (Slow cooker cooking times may vary—Get to know your slow cooker and, if necessary, adjust cooking times accordingly.)
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Chop the onion, peel the garlic, quarter and chop the zucchini, dice the tomatoes if using fresh, grate the cheese if necessary and refrigerate, make the bread crumb mixture and refrigerate, assemble the zucchini mixture into the baking dish (keep the topping separate) and refrigerate.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Serve it with black pepper and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tip: Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and lycopene, both of which are good for your skin. Also, no need to worry if you’re eating the canned variety as opposed to fresh—canned tomatoes are cooked, and our bodies actually have an easier time absorbing lycopene from cooked tomatoes.
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Nutrition
Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 279mgPotassium: 782mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 370IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 4mg
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