I read that in some communities you don’t dare leave your car unlocked in high summer or you risk finding your backseat packed to the ceiling with your neighbors’ surplus zucchini. Hit-and-run altruism. Or desperation, take your pick.
Despite the myriad uses people have come up with to use this prolific squash*, a favorite of mine today was a Sunday morning staple when I grew up, simply called zucchini, onions, and eggs.
It’s hardly a recipe, really; like most memorable dishes, it was invented with what happens to be around. Right now in New Jersey it’s this.
Slice zucchini into rounds and saute over medium-high heat in a pat of butter or a good drizzle of olive oil. Turn them when you can start to smell them; that’s a sign they’re speckled with brown underneath.
Chop up some onion and throw it in with the zucchini, stirring often until it’s lightly browned. Hit the mixture with a little salt.
Whisk together some eggs and pour them over the veggies. Add freshly ground pepper and some Italian seasoning, or any variation of fresh or dried basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary.
If you want to get fancy and have good wrist skills, by all means flip that dude over and call it an omelet. Or just stir gently until set through. I like it lightly browned as well.
There, you’re done. Wait! I just thought of this—a shaving of Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano would be incredible.** That’s new.
I upped my game with the dish this year by using local ingredients and it was so good: zucchini and ‘candy’ red onion from Silverton Farms in Toms River. I also sliced in some of their sweet uncured garlic.
The eggs were from Wyman Farms, from in county. Then I dressed it up even more by making fries with some of the first of Silverton’s itty bitty fresh-dug potatoes, oven roasted with olive oil and tossed with salt. This is breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
I don’t have a garden. But if you do, let me know and I’ll leave my car unlocked for you.
* I also read people use them as baseball bats—good for precisely one hit, I’m guessing. I need to stop reading so much.
**Caveat: if you’re at all tempted to use anything that started in a green can, please disregard entirely the above suggestion.
Maris!
Your zucchini comment reminded me of a credo our pastor related last summer saying that the only time a good Methodist locks his car at church is during zucchini season!
Your recipe has inspired me to throw in some sliced zuch’s into a breakfast bake I am making for family tomorrow!
And too bad your unlocked car isn’t closer…. I could put in not only zuch’s but a big bag of snow peas! They are both going crazy in the garden right now!!
You rock per usual!!
Hi Johnnie–Thanks so much! Yeah, supposing your pastor read the same thing I did 🙂 Hope you enjoy the breakfast bake w zukes!