Celebrating Summer's Produce: Zucchini, Potato and Fresh Herbs Gratin

This week (August 1st through 7th) is National Farmers Market Week, a great time to celebrate our farmers and great produce. I'm reposting this flavorful recipe, which uses summer's best: Lovely zucchini, new potatoes, complex fresh herbs, and makes for a nice presentation in no time.

As you’ll see, this dish relies on fresh herbs for its explosion of flavor. The fresh herbs also pack lots of nutrition—they’re a powerhouse of phytochemicals and antioxidants, and a great addition to your healthy diet.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 zucchini, peeled (if very fresh no need to peel) and cut to ¼-inch slices

• 8-10 small potatoes, peeled and very thinly sliced (can be done with a mandoline or food processor)

• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

For the sauce:

• 1 cup of mixed fresh herbs—tarragon, parsley, chives, oregano, thyme and basil are good options; be creative, but use more of the mild herbs, and less of the more potent oregano and thyme.

• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic

• A pinch of hot pepper flakes

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

• Prepare the sauce. If you have a food processor, pulse all ingredients to a course grind. Otherwise, chip all dry ingredients as finely as you can, and mix with the olive oil and spices.

• Mix all ingredients, taste the zucchini and correct the seasoning.

• Brush some olive oil on an oven-safe baking or gratin dish, and transfer the zucchini potato mix.

• Transfer to the oven, and bake for 60-80 minutes, until potatoes are well-softened. If the top darkens too much, and the potatoes aren’t yet soft, cover with tin foil and bake some more.

Serve immediately (will serve 8-10 diners as a side dish).

Happy National Farmers Market Week!

Dr. Ayala