Description
Summer gratin blends garden-fresh zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs into a delightful Mediterranean classic. Crisp breadcrumb topping and melted cheese create a rustic dish that celebrates seasonal produce with simple French countryside elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lbs (567 g) ripe small or medium tomatoes, cored and sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
- 0.75 lb (340 g) zucchini (about 2 small), sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
- 0.75 lb (340 g) yellow summer squash (about 2 small), sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
- 1.25 cups (296 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 tbsps (75 ml) olive oil
- 2 medium onions, finely sliced
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Base: Lightly oil a 2-quart baking dish, creating a non-stick surface for optimal cooking.
- Caramelize Aromatics: Sauté onions in a skillet over medium heat until deeply golden, approximately 8-10 minutes, then quickly introduce minced garlic, stirring for 45-60 seconds to release its fragrant notes.
- Layer Foundation: Spread the caramelized onion and garlic mixture evenly across the baking dish’s bottom, establishing a robust flavor foundation.
- Vegetable Preparation: Pat tomato slices dry and slice zucchini and yellow squash into uniform, thin rounds; toss with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper to ensure even seasoning.
- Assemble Gratin: Construct alternating layers of vegetables, generously interspersing grated cheese between each tier, then crown the dish with a final sprinkle of cheese and thyme.
- Bake and Rest: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), then bake for 60-70 minutes until the surface achieves a deep golden-brown hue and vegetables become tender and bubbling; allow the gratin to rest for 15 minutes before serving to help ingredients set and enhance cohesion.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat vegetables completely dry to prevent a soggy gratin, ensuring crisp and concentrated flavors.
- Uniform Slicing: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create consistent vegetable rounds for even cooking and elegant presentation.
- Cheese Selection: Choose high-moisture cheeses like Gruyère or Parmesan for enhanced melting and rich, complex flavor profiles.
- Temperature Rest: Allow the gratin to settle for 15 minutes after baking, which helps ingredients bind and makes serving more manageable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg