America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Creamed Zucchini with Herbs

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on September 13, 2011

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Creamed Zucchini with Herbs

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 medium zucchini (about 1 ⅓ pounds), rinsed, trimmed, shredded, and squeezed dry (see illustrations 1 and 2, below)¼ cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, tarragon, basil, or mintSalt and ground black pepper

Before You Begin

A shredding and drying technique is the best choice when you are pressed for time and want to cook zucchini indoors. Use any fresh herb on hand, varying the amount depending on its intensity. For instance, use two tablespoons of basil, parsley, or chives but just one tablespoon of oregano, thyme, or tarragon.

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in 10-inch (preferably nonstick) skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer briefly until cream is absorbed. Serve immediately.
Creamed Zucchini with Herbs

Creamed Zucchini with Herbs

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 medium zucchini (about 1 ⅓ pounds), rinsed, trimmed, shredded, and squeezed dry (see illustrations 1 and 2, below)
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, tarragon, basil, or mint
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 medium zucchini (about 1 ⅓ pounds), rinsed, trimmed, shredded, and squeezed dry (see illustrations 1 and 2, below)
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, tarragon, basil, or mint
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 medium zucchini (about 1 ⅓ pounds), rinsed, trimmed, shredded, and squeezed dry (see illustrations 1 and 2, below)
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, tarragon, basil, or mint
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

For the best creamed zucchini recipe, we picked smaller zucchini, which are more flavorful and less watery than the larger ones. We removed excess moisture by either tossing slices with salt and letting them sit for 30 minutes or grating zucchini and wrapping it in several layers of paper towels or a large kitchen towel and squeezing. Even in a blazing hot pan, the zucchini would soon start to steam in its own juices if not salted or shredded and squeezed.

Before You Begin

A shredding and drying technique is the best choice when you are pressed for time and want to cook zucchini indoors. Use any fresh herb on hand, varying the amount depending on its intensity. For instance, use two tablespoons of basil, parsley, or chives but just one tablespoon of oregano, thyme, or tarragon.

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in 10-inch (preferably nonstick) skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer briefly until cream is absorbed. Serve immediately.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.