Prepare tender, grilled zucchini skewers featuring both zucchini and summer squash served with a tangy tahini yogurt sauce for your next barbecue.
With Memorial Day behind us and the 4th of July just ahead, I’d venture to say quite a few of you have already fired up your grills at least once. The summer months mean more meals enjoyed outdoors and that means lots of grilling.
Grilling isn’t just for hot dogs and hamburgers though; the intense heat of the grill transforms vegetables into something pretty special as well. Grilled vegetables cook quickly, with a just hint of smoky flavor. Zucchini and summer squash are two of my favorites on the grill this time of year. Grilling brings out their inherent creaminess and mild sweetness. I adore them as a side to any meal.
Luckily both zucchini and summer squash are in abundance during the summer months which means these zucchini skewers will be a staple at my dinner table. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a few days so you can make these skewers whenever the mood strikes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Marinade – You’ll need extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, garlic and dried oregano to make the marinade for the zucchini and summer squash.
- Zucchini - Medium sized zucchini are best for grilling. Large zucchini tend to have seedy centers and can be quite spongy.
- Yellow Squash – Choose medium-sized yellow squash as well or substitute an equal amount of zucchini if yellow squash isn’t available.
- Parsley – You’ll need a bit of chopped fresh parsley for sprinkling over the skewers after they come off the grill.
- Lemon Wedges – I like to serve the skewers with lemon wedges on the side but that’s purely optional.
- Skewers – You’ll need metal or bamboo skewers (if using bamboo skewers soak them for at least 30 minutes prior to use)
- Tahini Yogurt Sauce – You’ll need tahini, plain yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic and cumin to make the tahini yogurt sauce that’s served alongside the skewers.
How to Make Zucchini Skewers:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- The zucchini and summer squash first get a brief marinade in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil and oregano before being thrown on the grill.
- Next whisk together the ingredients for the tahini yogurt sauce.
- Now thread the marinated vegetables onto the skewers and grill until tender and lightly charred (about 5 to 6 minutes each side).
- Transfer the skewers to a serving platter and drizzle with the yogurt sauce and chopped parsley.
I love the contrast between the hot vegetables and the cool, creamy sauce. The light smoky flavor of the grilled zucchini and summer squash pairs so nicely with the tahini and cumin.
If you’ve got a BBQ coming up or are just looking for an excuse to fire up the grill, try these zucchini and summer squash skewers with tahini yogurt sauce for your next outdoor meal.
More Grilled Vegetable Recipes:
Zucchini Skewers
Prepare tender, grilled zucchini skewers featuring both zucchini and summer squash and a tangy tahini yogurt sauce at your next barbecue.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon/ 15ml fresh lemon juice
- The zest of ½ a lemon
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Skewers:
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1- 2 inch pieces
- 2 medium yellow squash, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- Metal or Bamboo skewers (if using bamboo skewers be sure to soak for at least 30 minutes prior to use)
For the Tahini Yogurt Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml tahini
- 2 Tablespoons/130ml plain yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon/15 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons/15ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml filtered water
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- ⅛th teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground cumin
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Add the zucchini and summer squash and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and let sit for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the ingredients for the tahini yogurt sauce and set aside.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
- Thread the marinated vegetables onto the skewers.
- Brush generously with remaining marinade.
- Grill until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred (about 5 to 6 minutes each side). Transfer the skewers to a serving platter and drizzle with tahini sauce and chopped parsley.
- Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Variations:
- Use all zucchini
- For Vegan and Paleo use a plain dairy-free yogurt instead.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan Option (use dairy-free yogurt), Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo Option (use dairy-free yogurt)
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 911mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 5gSugar: 12gProtein: 9g
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.
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
Love the use of tahini in this dip! WHo says it's just for hummus??
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
Anything with tahini can't be but amazing -- these skewers look awesome. Can't wait to try out some zucchini skewers now!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
I love grilled zucchini but that tahini yogurt must send it over the top!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
We've been firing up the grill several times a week. Veggies on the grill are our favorite, but I'm looking for a new recipe to keep things fresh. This is right up our alley! I love the sound of the dipping sauce, divine!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
That's a great looking plate of wonderfully healthy vegetables. I enjoy a good grilled zucchini, it's lovely.