Perfect Sear On Zucchini
Directions
- 1First, halve and crosshatch the zucchini.
- 2Then rub them with salt and microwave them to draw moisture from the flesh and prime the surfaces for browning.
- 3Next, press them into a cold, well-oiled cast-iron skillet.
- 4Cover and crank the heat to medium-high.
- 5Cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
- 6Flip them for a final few minutes of cooking.
- 7Then serve with a drizzle of hot honey and some scallions for an unforgettable bite.
Ingredients
- zucchini
- salt
- oil
- hot honey
- scallions
Equipment
cast-iron skilletknifemicrowavetongs
Tips
- The key to amazing Maillard browning is ridding the squash of as much water as you can before it hits the hot pan.
- The trapped moisture released by the squash converts to steam, which causes the pectin and hemicellulose in the zucchini cell walls to dissolve, rendering the dense flesh incredibly silky.
- When that moisture evaporates, the scorching skillet imparts a steak-quality sear to the meaty squash.