A simple recipe for Grilled Zucchini with zaatar, garlic and lemon, and a dollop of labneh or yogurt. Full of flavor, delicious and healthy!
A clear sign that summer is at its peak is the abundance of zucchini and summer squash showing up in our CSA boxes, local farmers markets and in our gardens. The challenge is always what to do with all of them!
This flavor-packed recipe for Grilled Zucchini with Za’atar, garlic, lemon and labneh ( a Middle Eastern style yogurt has become my new favorite) is so delicious…I hope you give it a try!
Za’atar, if unfamiliar, is a blend of middle eastern spices, varying from region to region, but most often includes cumin, coriander, dried herbs, sumac and sesame seeds. It’s the sumac in my opinion that gives the zucchini that extra flavor burst that makes you want to scream WOW! Anyways… I love it.
It can be found in Middle Eastern Markets, and gourmet grocery stores. If you can’t find labneh, make your own or use Greek yogurt, or leave the yogurt off entirely if going dairy-free – it tastes great without.
This simple veggie side dish pairs nicely with my Grilled Chicken Shawarma , Israeli Salad and Turkish Cucumber Salad…a delicious Middle Eastern Spread.
Start with two pounds of zucchini or summer squash.
To make it easier to grill, cut thick, ½ inch slices on the diagonal…this will make the slices a little larger so they won’t fall through the grates.
Place the Zucchini in a large bowl and toss with the zaatar, salt, garlic and olive oil, so each piece is lightly coated.
Place on a preheated grill.
I really like a good char when grilling anything. I realize this may looked burned to some of you, but to me, the deep char gives the zucchini a really great flavor.
Place on a platter.
Give a squeeze of lemon, a light drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling or Aleppo chile flakes, a scattering of flat leaf parsley and serve with a large dollop of labneh or yogurt. I like adding a few garden tomatoes for color.
Grilled Zucchini with Zaatar
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 5
- Category: Side
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pre heat grill to High.
- Slice the zucchini on the diagonal, into ½ inch thick slices and place into a large bowl. Drizzle w/ olive oil, sprinkle w/ salt and zaatar spice and add the finely minced garlic. Using your hands, toss to combine until well mixed.
- Place zucchini on the hot grill using tongs. Turn heat down to medium high and close the lid and give a good sear, about 5 minutes. when there are good grill marks, turn over. turn heat down to medium, cover, grill until cooked through about 5 more minutes. If you like them very tender, move them to an upper rack, cover and continue to cook, on very low heat or place in a pan and cover with foil, letting them steam.
- When cooked to desired tenderness, place zucchini on a platter. One one side of the platter, or in a little bowl, spoon on Smoked Yogurt, Geek style yogurt or Labneh, garnish with a few cherry tomatoes, sprinkling of italian parsley, a squeeze of lemon and if you like a little drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle Aleppo pepper over the yogurt for a little heat. This is delicious with Grilled Chicken Shawarma! andIsreali Salad
Notes
Try making homemade labneh!
Nutrition
- Calories: 235
Keywords: grilled zucchini, grilled zucchini with Labneh
I made this with zucchini and eggplant! Excellent! Thank you
★★★★★
What is not to like! Quick, easy, delicious, and nutritious. I grew up eating Lebanese food so use Za’atar on many foods. On toast each morning too! Thank you.
★★★★★
Thanks Avank!
Could I prep (marinate) this the night before and just place on the grill the next day or will it get too soggy? Can’t wait to try it! I’ve tried several of your recipes so far and they’re delicious!
Thanks Aashoo- Yes, that would work fine!
My son -in -law is Lebanese. He gave me jar of zaatar. It was in my pantry for a year and then I have seen this recipe. It is so good. Though, I would skip tomatoes. In my opinion, it just doesn”t go together.
★★★★★
Excellent and easy!!
★★★★★
I may never eat zucchini any other way ever again! Like all of your recipes – a flavor punch that elevates a humble ingredient! The best!
★★★★★
Simple, quick recipe, packed full of flavour. Had this in my lunch box, it didn’t disappoint will definitely make this again.
★★★★★
Well I love za-atar and anything Middle-Eastern, and zucchini on the barbecue is one of my favourite summer dishes.. so definitely making this!! Looks so beautiful with yogurt and fresh tomatoes too.
My goodness, what beautiful pictures! I’m such a huge fan of za’atar, (I love it on my morning avocado toast) so this sounds heavenly to me! What an elegant recipe!
xx Sydney
Thanks Sydney…appreciate it!!