4 servings; 15 min preparation; 40 min cooking time.

The recipe for today features a favorite vegetarian dish from my childhood with a twist. It’s light, full of herbs and very yummy au gratin. And if you like zucchini like me, you will like this recipe as well. 

Zucchini is an often underestimated product that definitely deserves attention. People normally name it a vegetable, but botanically speaking it’s a fruit. Either way, zucchini has its place in vegetarian dishes and low calories diets for a reason.

This fruit (it still sounds weird, but it is true!) contains very few calories per 100 g, no saturated fat and low amount of carbs. Similar to cucumbers, it has a high amount of water in it, which makes it a perfect basis for a low calories dishes. And it combines perfectly with cheese and herbs, because of its mild taste.

Let’s not forget that zucchini is a great source of potassium, fiber and antioxidants. It will keep your heart and cells healthy.

Ingredients

• 2 big zucchini, shredded
• 80 g feta cheese, small brunoise
• 20 g fresh dill, minced
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp mild olive oil
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 100 g Emmental cheese, shredded
• 50 g walnuts, chopped roughly
• 2 eggs
• 80 g heavy cream

Preparations

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C/375 degrees F.

Shred the zucchini on a big shredder. Squeeze the water as much as possible. Transfer to a bowl.

Drain the water from the feta if any. Cut in small brunoise (cubes). Mix with the zucchini.

Mince the dill fine. Add it to the zucchini. Add the dried parsley. Use 2 tbsp fresh parsley instead, if you prefer. Add the breadcrumbs, oil and the rest of the seasonings.

Add 2/3 of the Emmental cheese to the zucchini mixture. Leave the rest for topping.

Chop the walnuts roughly with a knife. Add to the mixture.

Beat the eggs and heavy cream together. Mix with the zucchini. Transfer to a baking dish. Cover with the rest of the cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 min. Increase the temperature to 200 degrees C/400 degrees F and bake for 10 more min. The top should be golden brown. Enjoy!