Hasselback Zucchini with Bacon and Mozzarella
This Hasselback zucchini is brushed with sweet paprika and garlic olive oil, then baked until tender with bacon and mozzarella. It works as a substantial side dish or light main course.
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchinis about 1½ pounds (700 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 bacon slices cut into small pieces
- 50 g pre-shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place one zucchini between two chopsticks or wooden spoon handles. Cut thin crosswise slices without cutting through the base. Repeat with the remaining zucchini and arrange all 3 medium zucchinis on the prepared tray.
- Mix 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Stir well. Brush half of the seasoned oil over the zucchini and into the cuts. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Tuck the raw pieces from 6 bacon slices evenly into the cuts. Brush the remaining seasoned oil over the zucchini and bacon. Bake for another 25 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the bacon is cooked with browned edges.
- Sprinkle 50 g pre-shredded mozzarella cheese over the zucchini. Broil for about 2 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is lightly golden. Serve the Hasselback zucchini hot.
Notes
Keep the base attached: Position the chopsticks snugly against the zucchini so the knife stops before cutting through the bottom.
Divide the seasoned oil: Applying it before and after adding the bacon helps carry the seasoning into the opened cuts.
Check before adding cheese: The zucchini should be tender and the bacon cooked with browned edges before adding the mozzarella.
Control the broiler: Watch the mozzarella continuously because it can darken quickly once it begins bubbling.
Nutrition
Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1188mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 857IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 1mg
