Description
This traditional Italian Sformato di Zucchine, Ricotta e Menta is a light and flavorful flan made with tender zucchini, creamy ricotta cheese, and a hint of fresh mint. It’s perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or even a light vegetarian main course. The combination of zucchini’s mild flavor and the fresh mint gives this dish a refreshing taste that’s ideal for warm weather!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium Zucchini, grated
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream
- Butter or olive oil, for greasing the baking dish
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a medium-sized baking dish or individual ramekins with butter or olive oil.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add the grated zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini softens and any excess moisture evaporates. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and heavy cream. Stir in the cooked zucchini mixture and chopped fresh mint. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or divide it into individual ramekins. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes (or 20-25 minutes for ramekins) until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- If you prefer a creamier texture, you can substitute the heavy cream with a bit more ricotta or even some mascarpone.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to two days. Simply reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes.
- If you don’t have fresh mint, you can substitute it with fresh basil for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Appetizer, Vegetarian
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 120mg