Recipe Time: Zucchini Surprise

Hello out there! After quite the summer break, I have returned reinvigorated and ready to share loads of fantastic foodie adventures with y'all!

First up, an intriguing recipe I created from goodies sourced at Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer's Market, Nickle City Cheese, backyard herbs and leftover zucchini chunks. I have been striving to include more fruit into my diet and stumbled upon some delicious, juicy red heart plums at the market. Wanting to do more than just chomp in or make a sugary dessert, I embarked on incorporating into a savory dish. The red heart variety were juicy enough and added a nice hue to the zucchini, but I must admit I was hoping for more of a tart addition. All in all, the concoction was a treat and tasted even nicer then next day over pasta.

Try it for yourself and see!

Zucchini Surprise

Serves 2 (entree-size)

2 plums, pitted and sliced

1 zucchini, chopped into chunks

2 medium on-the-vine tomatoes, chopped

2 garlic cloves, slightly mashed

1 sprig of fresh basil, leaves chopped

2 slices of prosciutto, ripped into smaller strips

2-4oz of a creamy cheese (I used Truffle Tremor but a goats cheese would work well also)

1/2 lemon, juiced

olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

Zuccs & plums getting intimate

Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the sliced plums, chunks of zucchini and the garlic into aluminum foil and drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil over. Cover the fruit and veg into a foil bag and heat in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.

Foil packet action

In the meantime, stir together the chopped tomatoes, basil and lemon juice in a bowl or Tupperware with some seasoning. Place in the fridge to chill.

Take the zucchini & plums out of the oven after the cook time and transfer to a large bowl to cool on the counter top for about 15 minutes. Add the chilled tomato mixture and divvy out onto plates. Top the plates with the prosciutto and cheese, then lightly drizzle olive oil. Serve slightly warm and enjoy!

As noted, if you have leftover, this also tastes delicious the next day cold over pasta!

Voila, zucchini surprise!

Finished masterpiece: look at those colors!