zucchiniwalnuts

Sometimes Mediterranean inspired recipes appear in the least likely of places. We were visiting my in-laws and I found a cookbook from the 70’s called The Williamsburg Cookbook which includes recipes from Colonial Williamsburg’s taverns and restaurants. There are plenty of colonial recipes, but this recipe caught my eye: with the simple title Zucchini with Walnuts, the ingredients brought me straight to the Mediterranean.

When I looked at the recipe more closely, I realized that it was as simple as it sounds. And while it included butter and olive oil, I only used olive oil in this easy yet delicious recipe.

Zucchini has a special place in Greek cuisine, we often make dishes with zucchini as the main ingredient, so I was happy to find another way to prepare it.

Once we got back home, there were still some zucchini available at the market and made this super easy recipe. A wonderful vegetable side dish, because not only do you get antioxidants and very little calories from the zucchini, but a good dose of protein and omega-3 fatty acids from the walnuts.

The olive oil is drained after sautéing and if you do it right, the zucchini should not absorb much of the oil. The walnuts are also heated which brings out a nice flavor. This is a recipe, I will definitely be serving as a side dish, and of course you can always do as Greeks do: add some feta, a piece of bread and make it a complete meal.

Sautéed Zucchini with Walnuts

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 zucchini sliced in ½ inch slices
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ cup walnuts
  • Salt/pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the olive oil and sauté until zucchini is soft, but not fried. About 5-10 minutes

2. Drain the olive oil and add the chopped walnuts, stir and continue to heat on medium heat for about 1-2 minutes.

3. Add salt and pepper for taste and serve.

Photo by Elena Paravantes

Elena Paravantes, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Writer and consultant specializing in the Mediterranean Diet and Cuisine. She has been active as a clinician, consultant and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece.

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10 Comments

  1. How many people does the above recipe serve?

    Thanks

    Reply

  2. Delicious! Any ideas for how to use the drained olive oil? I’m sure it wouldn’t be necessary to to discard it!

    Reply

    1. You could dip in the olive oil with some good bread, but do not re-use it. Olive oil breaks down after used once or twice. The health benefits come from using fresh olive oil, not olive oil used many times.

      Reply

      1. I understand. Bread dipping sounds great…or perhaps drizzling it over some rice that might accompany the meal 🙂

        Thanks…it is so helpful, and appreciated, that you are able to reply so quickly!!

  3. We enjoyed this as part of out Thanksgiving table. My hubby said “keep that recipe”! Thanks for sharing

    Reply

  4. I needed a green vegetable for dinner last night. This was a really tasty way to prepare an otherwise watery and boring vegetable. Since I have a big bag of shelled walnuts in the freezer, I’ll be making this again!

    Reply

  5. Simple and delicious. Thank you

    Reply