These creative eggplant and zucchini recipe ideas will leave you full of inspiration to use up these summer vegetables while in season.
Eggplant and zucchini are two wonderful ingredients that are quintessential of the summer season. While zucchini peak season is usually between June and late August, the eggplant one starts and ends a little later, from July to late October. This leaves you with plenty of time to make the best of these two ingredients in your everyday cooking.
Zucchini is known as a very versatile ingredient, that works both in sweet and savory preparations. We like it sautéed, used in a casserole or sometimes raw, and it also brings moisture to some delicious dessert recipes. Eggplant (or aubergine) on the other hand has a chewy-meaty texture, that makes it a perfect replacement to meat for vegetarians. You can also use it as a dip or to create some wonderful veggie stews or curries.
What to do with eggplant?
Appetizers. When it comes to party food, dips and other bite-sized appetizers, you have plenty of options to use up eggplants. Among my favorite ones, make sure you try:
- Homemade Baba Ganoush (aka eggplant dip). Serve with pita chips and/or raw veggies.
- Eggplant Rolls filled with Hummus. A fun, entertaining and delicious party food!
- Eggplant and Goat Cheese Stacks. An easy one-bite appetizer that can also be a starter.
Main course. Eggplants also work a wonder to prepare some creative vegetarian mains, thanks to their subtle chewy-meaty texture. Make sure you try one of the following eggplant mains this summer:
- Quinoa-Stuffed Eggplants with Mint Yogurt Sauce. Healthy, vegetarian, and refreshing.
- Miso-Glazed Eggplant Tarte Tatin. The combination of Asian flavors with eggplants is divine.
- Vegetarian Moussaka. This family-size vegetarian casserole is a must try!
- Vegetarian Eggplant Meatballs. Even non-vegetarians love them!
- Grilled Veggie Gyros with Feta-Yogurt Dip. A great way to combine eggplants and zucchini.
Creative ideas around zucchini (savory only)
Hot or cold. You can make a delicious zucchini soup and eat it either hot or very cold, and same goes with zoodles (aka zucchini noodles). Also, don’t forget to use up your zucchinis to create beautiful salads. Find below the recipes you can make:
- Lentil Salad with Zucchini, Feta and Mint. A simple salad recipe loaded with healthy flavors.
- Zucchini Ricotta Soup with Mint. A very refreshing hot or cold summer soup.
- Mediterranean Chickpea Zoodles. The sun-dried tomato pesto that comes with it is bliss!
- Savory Zucchini Bread with Goat Cheese. Perfect for a potluck or picnic!
Dinner options. When it comes to dinner options with zucchini, the possibilities are endless, whether you go for a casserole, lasagna, a zucchini quiche, or other. Here are some creative ideas you may like:
- Zucchini Goat Cheese Crumble. Every bite is soft, creamy and crispy, we love it!
- Easy Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna. These noodle-free lasagna are just perfect for summer.
- Salmon and Zucchini Ricotta Pie. One of my favorite zucchini recipe!
- Vegan Zucchini and Red Onion Frittata. Made with chickpea flour. Healthy and nutritious!
Wonderful desserts using zucchini
Zucchini dessert recipes. Yes, you can use veggies in your desserts, and I swear they will taste amazing! In fact, the use of shredded zucchini brings some moisture to your cake loaves and other dessert recipes. It’s perfect to replace butter in a healthier way. Here’s what you can bake with shredded zucchini:
- Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread. Moist, chocolate-rich, and healthy~ish!
- Vegan Lemon Zucchini Bread. Fresh and loaded with lemony flavors.
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you’re serious about cookies, these ones are a must!
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. Irresistible, I’ve been obsessed with this recipe for years!
