Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata

Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata is a tasty casserole or side dish made with those inevitable monster zucchinis that show up in the garden! 

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People who haven’t grown zucchini themselves may see the title Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata and wonder if monster zucchini is a new zucchini variety, but anyone who’s had a garden knows about those monster zucchini that hide under the leaves.  You don’t discover them until they’re so big that it seems like the only thing to do with them is make Zucchini Bread or Zucchini Muffins you know what I mean?

I’m not a fan of monster zucchini, so I try to watch my plants and not let them get too big, but when the garden is winding down I always have a few that get out of control.  When I discovered an enormous zucchini recently I decided to update this recipe that I first made in 2005 with a monster zucchini that greeted me when I got home from a trip.  This recipe does have a few eggs to hold it together, but I’d consider it a casserole or side dish and it’s one dish made with monster zucchini that really is very good.

Part of the trick of using monster zucchini is to trim away the big seeds, which aren’t really good to eat once the zucchini gets this big.  Large zucchini also have a tougher skin that needs more thorough cooking to make it tender.  This recipe for Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata takes both of those things into account.

Start by cutting the zucchini in half crosswise to get two manageable size pieces.  Then cut each half of the zucchini lengthwise into fourths (or sixths if it’s really enormous.) Cut away the seeds on each piece, leaving about 3/8 inch of the white flesh. Then cut the strips into small pieces. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.  Then add the zucchini and cook 2-3 minutes. Add the Spike Seasoning (or any all-purpose seasoning of your choice) and chopped basil and cook for 2-3 minutes more.  Season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste.  (The zucchini will be barely starting to soften.)

Spray a 10″ x 12″ casserole dish with olive oil or non-stick spray and then arrange the zucchini and mozzarella cheese in a single layer.  (Don’t use a smaller dish; you want the zucchini peeking above the egg/cheese mixture.) Beat the eggs with the 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan. Pour eggs over the zucchini and sprinkle with the other 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan.  (I can be finicky, so I use a fork to get the zucchini evenly arranged in the dish!) Bake 35-45 minutes or until the mixture is well set and lightly browned on top.

Serve hot. This is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

More Interesting Ideas with Zucchini:

The BEST Slow Cooker Zucchini Recipes ~ Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker
Meat, Tomato, and Mozzarella Stuffed Zuchini Cups from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Crisp Zucchini Fritters from No Recipes
Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Val’s Kid Friendly Broiled Zucchini with Mozzarella and Pepperoni from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Zucchini-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms from Herbivoracious
Roasted Zucchini with Green Onions, Feta Cheese, and Basil from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Weekend Food Prep:

This recipe has been added to a new category called Weekend Food Prep  to help you find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Print Recipe

Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata

Yield: 8 servings

Total Time: 65-75 minutes

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 40-50 minutes

This Monster Zucchini Strata recipe is a tasty casserole or side dish made with those  monster zucchinis that show up in your garden!

Ingredients:

• 1 monster zucchini, 14-16 inches long
  (or use several smaller ones but don’t cut out seeds and saute for a shorter time)
• 2 T olive oil
• 1-2 tsp. Spike Seasoning
  (or use any all-purpose seasoning that’s good on vegetables)
• salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 3/4 cup grated Mozzarella cheese (I used low-fat Mozzarella)
• 6 eggs
• 2 T milk, half and half, or cream (I used 2% milk)
• 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan or Asiago  (If you only have finely grated Parmesan I would use a little less)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
2. Use a 10 X 12 glass casserole dish for this and spray with olive oil or nonstick spray
3. Wash zucchini, then cut off ends and cut in half crosswise to get manageable sized pieces.
4. Cut each half into fourths (or sixths) lengthwise.
5. Use a spoon or small knife to scrape away the seeds and most of the white inside, leaving about 3/8 inch of white attached to the skin.
6. Then cut each strip crosswise into pieces about 3/8 inch wide.
7. Heat olive oil in large nonstick frying pan, add zucchini and saute 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat.
8. Add Spike and fresh basil and saute 2-3 minutes more, seasoning the zucchini with salt and fresh ground black pepper. (Zucchini should be barely starting to soften.)
9. Put zucchini into casserole dish with the Mozzarella cheese.
10.  Combine eggs, milk, and 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan or Asiago and beat well.
11.  Pour egg mixture over zucchini and cheese and gently stir so it’s well combined, with some zucchini pieces “peeking” out of the egg.
12.  Sprinkle the other 1/2 cup Parmesan or Asiago over top.
13.  Bake 35-45 minutes, or until the mixture is well set and slightly browned on top.
14.  Serve hot, with a little sour cream if desired.

Notes:

The flavors in this dish are similar to Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake, which is the recipe I would probably use if I had regular-sized zucchini.

Recipe created by Kalyn.

All images and text ©Kalyn Denny for Kalyn's Kitchen.

The flavors in this dish are similar to Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake, which is the recipe I would probably use if I had regular-sized zucchini.

South Beach Diet / Low-Carb Diet Suggestions:
Low-Carb Monster Zucchini and Basil Strata would be a good side dish or main dish for any phase of the South Beach Diet or any type of low-glycemic or low-carb eating plan. As a main dish, I’d happily eat this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use the Recipes by Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

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