Baked Zucchini and Tomato Fan Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 young zucchini, sliced into finger-like strips, keeping them attached at the base
- 3-4 tomatoes, sliced into thin rounds
- 200g (7 oz) cheese, grated (choose your favorite, like mozzarella or cheddar)
- Salt, to taste
- 7 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Smoked paprika, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 200°C (390°F) to preheat while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Wash the zucchini and carefully slice them into finger-like strips, making sure to keep the base intact so the zucchini holds together like a fan.
- Slice the tomatoes into thin rounds.
3. Arrange in the Baking Dish:
- Gently fan out the zucchini slices in a baking dish. Tuck tomato slices in between the zucchini “fingers,” spacing them evenly.
4. Season the Vegetables:
- Lightly sprinkle salt and smoked paprika over the arranged zucchini and tomato slices.
5. Make the Garlic Sour Cream:
- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the minced garlic. Stir until well mixed.
6. Add the Sour Cream Mixture:
- Spoon the garlic sour cream mixture evenly over the vegetables in the baking dish, making sure to cover the zucchini “fingers” and tomatoes.
7. Top with Cheese:
- Generously sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of the zucchini and tomatoes.
8. Bake:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
9. Serve:
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Serve warm as a beautiful and delicious side dish or light meal.
Cooking Tips:
- Cut Carefully: When slicing the zucchini, ensure that you don’t cut all the way through the base so that the “fingers” remain attached.
- Cheese Variations: Mix and match different cheeses for added depth of flavor.
- Sour Cream Alternatives: Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream for a lighter option.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Zucchini: Low in calories, rich in vitamins, and high in fiber.
- Tomatoes: Contain antioxidants like lycopene, which may help reduce the risk of certain diseases.
- Cheese: Provides protein and calcium.
Dietary Information:
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes (ensure the sour cream is gluten-free)
- Dairy-Free: No (contains cheese and sour cream)
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.