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Pan-Fried Zucchini with Indian Spices and Tomato Sauce – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Pan-Fried Zucchini with Indian Spices and Tomato Sauce

This recipe elevates the humble zucchini with a dusting of fragrant Indian spices and a luscious, simple tomato sauce. Searing the slices in a hot cast-iron pan creates a beautiful caramelization and a tender-crisp texture, transforming it into a stunning first course or a light,
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 145
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) olive or peanut oil, divided
  • 2 medium zucchinis, about 6 oz / 170 g total, trimmed and cut into long diagonal slices ⅓ inch / 0.8 cm thick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground roasted cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder, or to taste
  • 1 cup / 8 fl oz / 240 ml Simple South Indian Tomato Sauce, warmed
  • For the best browning, do not overcrowd the pan. Frying the zucchini in a single layer ensures they sear rather than steam.
  • The flavor of freshly toasted and ground cumin is unparalleled. If you have whole seeds, toast them in a dry pan for a minute until fragrant before grinding.

Method
 

  1. Place a large cast-iron or other heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
  3. Carefully arrange half of the zucchini slices in a single layer in the pan.
  4. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and tender.
  5. Transfer the cooked zucchini to a serving plate.
  6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of oil to the pan and repeat the process with the remaining zucchini slices.
  7. Arrange all the cooked zucchini in a single layer on your serving dish. Lightly sprinkle with salt, pepper, ground roasted cumin, and red chili powder.
  8. Spoon the warm tomato sauce over the center of the zucchini slices and serve immediately.
  9. Slice your zucchini as uniformly as possible. Consistent thickness means every piece will cook evenly to tender perfection.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 11g

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