What is one summer vegetable that seems to “keep on giving”? If you’ve ever planted a garden or seen the striped, green (or yellow) cylinder-like vegetable in numerous farmers’ market booths, you know the answer! Zucchini! The Italian-born vegetable may get a bad rap at times for its bountiful, and sometimes very large size, but its versatility and nutritional value are winners!
While numerous zucchini-based recipes from lasagna and casseroles to brownies and bread have graced my table, the following recipe, Italian Zucchini Crescent Pie has been a decades-long favorite initially made by my mother. It was one of those recipes I’m sure she clipped from a newspaper and now it resides on a stained recipe card! Enjoy!
Italian Zucchini Crescent Pie
Serves: 6
Bake: 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup olive or neutral oil
- 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini
- I cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped parsley or 2 T. dried parsley flakes
- ½ t. salt (or less)
- ½-1 t. pepper
- ½ t. garlic powder
- ½-1 t. each of basil and oregano
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 8 oz (2 c) shredded mozzarella
- 2 t. Dijon mustard
- 18 oz refrigerated crescent dinner roll dough
Instructions:
- Separate the crescent dough roll into 8 triangles. Working with one triangle at a time, press dough into a 9” or 10” pie pan. Press each section together in the bottom and up the sides of the pan, forming a crust. Note: as dough warms it becomes easier to create a smooth crust. Spread mustard on the crust. Set aside.
- Heat oil over medium high heat. Add zucchini and chopped onion. Sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in herbs and seasonings.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until beaten and fold in the mozzarella cheese. Once mixed, fold in the zucchini mixture.
- Pour zucchini mixture in the prepared crust. Bake 18- 20 minutes in a 375-degree oven. Use a pie ring or foil during the last 10 minutes to prevent overbrowning of crust. Remove from oven and set for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Serve with a summer vegetable salad, tomatoes or whatever your CSA, farmer’s market or backyard garden bounty provides!
