As a child, I always knew courgettes as a vegetable to be steamed and served as they are. Oh, how times have changed. I adore my collapsing courgettes, which crumple and fold into a rich, velvety topping.
Ensure your pan is on low to allow the courgettes time to break down and release their natural sweetness. You can either spoon the collapsing courgettes over oozing stracciatella and crunchy toast, like I have below, stir them through pasta (see my Slow-Cooked Courgette Pasta recipe), or let them cool down and serve in a salad with delicately torn mozzarella.
COLLAPSING COURGETTES, ON TOAST
Slow cooking courgettes brings out their natural sweetness, making them almost irresistible. My collapsing courgette recipe is refreshing yet has a depth that's perfect for a quick lunch or late afternoon snack. A far cry from the steamed courgettes I was served as a child. Enjoy on a warm summer evening with a crisp glass of your favourite beverage.
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- 500 g courgettes sliced into 1/2 cm rounds
- 3 garlic cloves finely sliced
- 1 small red chilli very finely sliced
- 2 slices ciabatta
- stracciatella
- to serve: wedges of lemon
Instructions
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Heat a really good glug of olive oil in a large frying pan over a low heat. Once hot, add the sliced courgettes and a pinch of salt and fry gently for 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until they begin to break down and fall apart. Add the garlic and chilli and fry for a further 15-20 minutes, stirring regularly and adding a touch more olive oil if the pan gets too dry, until the courgettes have collapsed and are lightly golden. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
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Toast your ciabatta however you like it, and spread generously with the stracciatella. Spoon the soft jammy courgettes over the top and finish with a grind of black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice, if you like.
If you’re on the collapsing courgette hype, just like I am, you’ll also enjoy my Raw Courgette Salad with Chilli & Lemon. Or to see more summer-ready recipes in the making, head over to my Instagram.
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