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Blissful Grilled Zucchini Caprese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 114 reviews

This Blissful Grilled Zucchini Caprese is a fresh and vibrant twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad. Featuring tender, smoky grilled zucchini slices layered with juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves, all finished with a tangy balsamic glaze drizzle. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish, this recipe brings a deliciously healthy and colorful addition to your meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh basil leaves (about 10-12 leaves)

Dairy

  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Other

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze, for drizzling (about 2-3 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough to sear the zucchini evenly and create nice grill marks.
  2. Prepare the zucchini: Brush both sides of the zucchini strips with olive oil, then season them evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavors and prevent sticking.
  3. Grill the zucchini: Place the zucchini slices on the preheated grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until tender and grill marks appear. Remove from the grill and let them rest briefly to maintain their texture.
  4. Assemble the Caprese stacks: On a serving platter, layer the grilled zucchini slices alternately with tomato and mozzarella slices, overlapping each slightly to create visually appealing stacks.
  5. Add fresh basil: Scatter fresh basil leaves over the layered zucchini, tomato, and mozzarella to impart a fragrant herbal note that complements the other ingredients.
  6. Drizzle balsamic glaze: Finish by generously drizzling balsamic glaze over the assembled stacks, adding a sweet and tangy flavor that ties all components together.
  7. Serve immediately: Present the dish right away for the best contrast between warm grilled zucchini and fresh, cool tomatoes and cheese. Enjoy this light and delightful appetizer or side dish.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh, high-quality mozzarella and ripe tomatoes to maximize flavor.
  • If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or cast-iron skillet can be used to achieve similar results.
  • Balsamic glaze can be homemade by reducing balsamic vinegar until thick or purchased pre-made.
  • Serve this dish soon after assembling to prevent the mozzarella from melting too much and the zucchini from becoming soggy.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.

Keywords: grilled zucchini, caprese salad, zucchini recipe, Italian appetizer, fresh mozzarella, balsamic glaze, summer salad

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/blissful-grilled-zucchini-caprese-recipe/