Grilled zucchini and summer squash are served with a fresh and spicy cilantro yogurt sauce in this healthy summer side.
Zucchini has always been one of my favorite vegetables, from soups to salads to noodles and casseroles, there’s just no shortage of ways to prepare and enjoy it all year long; but come summer, grilling it is one of the easiest ways to transform the mild mannered vegetable into a tasty side to accompany all your meals.
It’s a simple and healthy dish that’s naturally gluten-free and can easily be made vegan and/or paleo if desired by swapping out the yogurt for a dairy-free alternative.
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, not to worry, zucchini can also easily be made on a grill pan indoors. Grilling gives the squash a bit of char and smoky flavor that’s terrific paired with a spicy yogurt sauce. The contrast between the warm grilled vegetables and cold sauce is really quite delicious.
How to make grilled zucchini and summer squash:
- You can make the yogurt sauce a few days ahead of time and leave it in the fridge; the longer it rests, the more time the flavors have to combine.
- The flavor of the sauce is fresh and bright but the yogurt makes it extra creamy and tangy, while still keeping it light. You can use either dairy-free or regular yogurt but make sure it’s full fat for best flavor and texture. (Leftovers make a great dip for vegetables.)
- The zucchini and summer squash are lightly coated with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before being briefly grilled until tender and slightly charred. You’ll want to cut your zucchini first lengthwise then into large similarly sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking. Just 2-3 minutes on each side should be enough time to get some nice grill marks.
- Once the squash is off the grill drizzle it with your yogurt sauce, add an extra sprinkling of scallions across the top and you are ready to serve.
More zucchini recipes:
- Zucchini Roll Ups with Marinara Sauce
- Sautéed Zucchini with Chili and Lime
- Zucchini Noodle and Sundried Tomato Salad
Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash (with Spicy Yogurt Sauce )
Grilled zucchini and summer squash are served with a fresh and spicy cilantro yogurt sauce in this healthy summer side.
Ingredients
For the grilled summer squash:
- Oil for grill
- 2-3 small zucchini (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2-3 small yellow squash (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛th teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the cilantro scallion yogurt sauce:
- ¼ - ½ of a small jalapeño pepper (depending on how spicy you want the sauce), seeded
- ½ a bunch of cilantro, stems removed
- 1scallion, white and green parts, thinly sliced (reserve a teaspoon for garnish)
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon/5ml fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup regular or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
Make the cilantro scallion yogurt sauce:
- In the bowl of a small food processor combine jalapeno,
cilantro, scallion, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt, pulse until pesto-like in consistency. Stir into yogurt and chill until needed.
Grill the Zucchini and Summer Squash:
- Oil and heat grill to medium heat.
- In a large bowl toss cut zucchini and yellow squash with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Grill squash cut sides down, until just charred (about 3 to 4 minutes). Flip and continue to grill until tender (about 2-3 more minutes).
- Place grilled summer squash on platter drizzle with sauce, top with extra chopped scallions and lemon wedges on the side if desired.
Notes
Yogurt Sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until needed.
For a Vegan and/or Paleo version replace yogurt with an unsweetened dairy-free yogurt.
Cut your zucchini first lengthwise then into large similarly sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 312mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 6g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
This is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to make this.
Cristina, from BA to Paris says
Mine won't look as you, but it will be on my dinner table tonight..Thanks for the idea!
kankana says
Love the simplicity of this dish and cumin yogurt is my fav any day!
susan says
I want to spend a week with you. Hang in the kitchen, talk food, eat and laugh!
Kimberley says
This is awesome. Exactly the kind of creative summer fare I want to eat for the next two months straight.
Marsha Hallet says
This is a great summer recipe. It was easy to make and inexpensive. My guests were lapping up the sauce. Thank you!
Cookin' Canuck says
Sylvie, what a wonderful sauce to complement the fresh flavor of grilled veggies. I will definitely be trying this!
Vicky says
This sounds just perfect! Lovely combination of the spicy yogurt and courgette, quite perfect!
Bunkycooks says
What a delightful dish for these hot summer evenings! Squashes are so plentiful this time of year. It is nice to come up with different ways to use it.
ally says
stunning job here. way to mix summer freshness with fragrant sauce!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/