Bonus Recipe: Zucchini Sformato

It is that time of year for the Annual  Oversized Zucchini Jokes. If you missed our post on nipping this problem in the bud by picking zucchini blossoms for those recipes, Italian ingenuity for all things vegetable will save  your September day. Sformati are the saving grace for all sorts of  vegetables. not just this green one on your doorstep.  It is sort of a cross between a flan and a soufflé.  They hold up well for reheating the next day, but do not try to freeze them for later reheating. Regardless of the grated or puréed vegetable you are using, always put your molds filled with the sformato mixture in a water bath. this guarantees  you a nice soft exterior rather than a crust. I used the ramekins or individual soufflé molds from Pillivuyt, which from my observation bake out better than their competitors. Make a thin contrasting vegetable sauce, such as tomato or a corn ragout with herbs as a ring around each unmolded zucchini sformato and  it will make a lovely end of summer presenatation.                         

Recipe

Zucchini Sformato

An easy preparation for not only zucchini, carrots, beets, or any other end-of-summer produce you need to cook! Serve with a sauce or garnish.

Print Recipe

Yield 35

Ingredients

• 2lbs+ (2kg) zucchini or other vegetable
• 1 medium onion (or equivalent in volume with leek or shallots)
• 7 oz (200g) whole milk ricotta -n3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (30gr) grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
• 3 tbs (30gr) olive oil (enough to film the pan)nsalt and pepper to tastenfreshly grated nutmeg to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 365FnGenerously butter a 4-5 cup loaf pan or its equivalent in ramekins. .nSlice the onion (or shallots or leek) and sauté in a pan with a film of olive oil.nClean and slice the zucchini (or other vegetable).nWhen the onions are soft, add the zucchini to the pan.nSauté, stirring frequently for about 20-30 minutes until they are light golden and just tender.nDuring this time, mix the ricotta, eggs, grated cheese, salt u0026 pepper, nutmeg in a bowl, whisking until somewhat smooth.nWhen the zucchini mixture is lukewarm, combine with the ricotta mixture and roughly purée with an immersion blender or a food processor.nSpoon into prepared molds.nLarge mold will take up to 45 minutes to bake but individual ones will take less then 20 minutes.nCheck by inserting a thin knife as it should come out clean.nUnmold when it is slightly cool, and serve with a sauce and garnish.

Notes

• This Italian vegetable mold is an excellent dish for children and adults, This style of sformato should have a sauce, such as slightly wilted zucchini blossoms in melted butter with herbs, or a fresh tomato sauce.nThese keep well, covered, in the fridge and then reheated slightly in a water bath.

Details

Author: Tatiana Pollard

Adapted from: Serena Santolomazza