Grilled Zucchini With Lemon Yogurt, Feta & Mint

Zucchinis: Fresh, medium-sized zucchinis are ideal for grilling, providing a tender yet firm texture.

Olive oil: Used to brush the zucchini slices, adding a rich flavor and helping to achieve perfect grill marks.

Greek yogurt: A thick and creamy yogurt that forms the base of the lemon sauce, adding tanginess and richness.

Lemon: Both the zest and juice are used to infuse the yogurt with bright, citrusy notes.

Feta cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty, tangy contrast to the creamy yogurt and smoky zucchini.

Mint: Freshly chopped mint leaves provide a refreshing and aromatic finish to the dish.

When grilling zucchini, ensure that the grill is preheated to medium-high heat to achieve perfect grill marks and tender slices. Brushing the zucchini with olive oil not only prevents sticking but also enhances the flavor. For the lemon yogurt, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest to add a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy greek yogurt. Finally, sprinkle the dish with crumbled feta and chopped fresh mint right before serving to maintain their texture and vibrant flavors.

• zucchinis - Substitute with eggplants: Eggplants have a similar texture and can be grilled to achieve a comparable flavor profile.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for grilling.

• greek yogurt - Substitute with coconut yogurt: Coconut yogurt provides a creamy texture and a slight tang, suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free option.

• lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime offers a similar acidic and citrusy flavor that can brighten up the dish just like lemon.

• feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a tangy flavor and crumbly texture that can mimic feta in the dish.

• fresh mint - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil provides a different but equally refreshing herbal note that complements the other ingredients well.

• Allow the grilled zucchini to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the zucchini soggy.
• Place the cooled zucchini slices in an airtight container. If stacking the slices, separate each layer with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the lemon yogurt sauce separately in a small airtight container. This keeps the sauce fresh and prevents the zucchini from becoming too moist.
• Keep the feta cheese and fresh mint in separate containers as well. This ensures they maintain their texture and flavor.
• Refrigerate all components. The grilled zucchini can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, while the lemon yogurt sauce, feta, and mint can last up to 5 days.
• For freezing, lay the grilled zucchini slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the freezer bag with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen grilled zucchini can be stored for up to 2 months.
• When ready to use, thaw the zucchini in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat on a grill or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
• Assemble the dish just before serving by drizzling the reheated zucchini with the lemon yogurt sauce and sprinkling with feta and mint. This ensures the best texture and flavor.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the grilled zucchini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Drizzle with lemon yogurt and sprinkle with feta and mint just before serving.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the grilled zucchini slices in the skillet and heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until warmed through. Remove from heat and top with lemon yogurt, feta, and mint.

• Microwave Method: Place the grilled zucchini on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Once warmed, drizzle with lemon yogurt and sprinkle with feta and mint.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the grilled zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3-5 minutes until warmed through. Remove and top with lemon yogurt, feta, and mint.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the grilled zucchini on the toaster oven tray. Cover with aluminum foil and heat for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Drizzle with lemon yogurt and sprinkle with feta and mint before serving.

• Grill: Used to cook the zucchini slices, giving them a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks.

• Tongs: Essential for flipping the zucchini slices on the grill without piercing them.

• Basting brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the zucchini slices evenly.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing the zucchinis lengthwise.

• Chef's knife: Ideal for slicing the zucchinis into ¼ inch thick slices.

• Mixing bowl: Used to mix the greek yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

• Zester: Handy for zesting the lemon to add a burst of citrus flavor to the yogurt.

• Juicer: Helps extract the juice from the lemon efficiently.

• Serving platter: Used to arrange the grilled zucchini slices for a beautiful presentation.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of olive oil and other ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the greek yogurt and crumbled feta cheese accurately.

Pre-slice zucchini: Slice the zucchini in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Pre-mix yogurt sauce: Mix the greek yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice ahead of time and refrigerate.

Use a grill pan: If you don't have an outdoor grill, use a grill pan on the stove to save setup time.

Pre-crumbled feta: Buy pre-crumbled feta cheese to avoid extra prep work.

Chop mint early: Chop the fresh mint ahead of time and store it in a small container in the fridge.