Ladybugs on a Log

By • August 15, 2011 • 13 Comments


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Author Notes: This started as a recipe my sister sent me a long time ago for baked zucchini with bread crumbs that has evolved over the years in both of our kitchens. This is a simplified version in which the red cherry tomatoes star, as they melt sweetly onto their zucchini logs. - Fairmount_market - Fairmount_market

Food52 Review: Creativity goes a long way in cooking, and Farimount_market demonstrates that here. From the name to the ingredients, this recipe is a perfect example of how simple and original are the two parts that make up a well-constructed dish. The ingredients are basic but refined and the directions are easy to follow; in part because of the few steps involved in creating this lovely dish. It comes together in just a few minutes, could be adapted to accommodate different tastes or ingredients, is a good choice for the home cook on a budget, and still seems very elegant. We had leftovers the next day, which I mashed with a fork to make into a spread for pita chips -- also good! - checker - checker

Serves 2 to 4

  • 6 small zucchini
  • ~16 red cherry tomatoes
  • olive oil
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • ~20 leaves basil
  • 2 anchovy fillets
  • freshly ground black pepper
  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Remove the ends of the zucchini and slice them into 1/4 inch strips lengthwise (about 3 or 4 strips per small zucchini). Halve the cherry tomatoes.
  3. Spread some olive oil on the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer. Brush the zucchini with a little more olive oil and arrange the tomato halves on top, cut side down. Sprinkle over the pine nuts.
  4. Finely chop the basil and anchovy fillets and combine in a bowl with the bread crumbs, grated cheese, and a generous amount of black pepper, using your hands to mix the anchovy bits into the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the zucchini and tomatoes.
  5. Bake in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes have collapsed and the breadcrumb mixture is nicely browned. Serve warm.

Tags: summer vegetable side dish

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Newliztoqueicon-2

almost 2 years ago Lizthechef

Terrific!

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks Lizthechef!

Dsc_0675-x2a

almost 2 years ago Sagegreen

LOVE the name!

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks Sagegreen!

Hib_kitchen

almost 2 years ago MyCommunalTable

Sounds delicious.

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks MyCommunnalTable! I hope you give it a try.

Cheese_for_twitter0001

almost 2 years ago cheese1227

Have to reiterate the love of the name!

Cheese_for_twitter0001

almost 2 years ago cheese1227

Oh, and the dish looks like it can holds it own too!

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks cheese1227!

Oldies_joemare_bd

almost 2 years ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Great idea. Delicious, love the name.

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks sdebrango!

New_years_kitchen_hlc_only

almost 2 years ago AntoniaJames

AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

Best name ever! And what a spectacular photo of the tomatoes, zucchini and basil. Looks ultra delish, too! ;o)

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks AJ. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and basil are all at their peak at the Fairmount Farmers Market right now.

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