Marinated Grilled Zucchini with Feta and Huckleberries

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Marinated Grilled Zucchini with Feta and Huckleberries
Photo: Richard Banks
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs
Servings:
8

This salad of marinated grilled zucchini, feta, and red huckleberries (which flourish from the Rocky Mountains west and north to Alaska) gets an intense flavor boost from a sprinkling of cilantro flowers in this side dish. Cilantro and coriander are one and the same; in the United States, the leaves and stems are called cilantro, and the seeds coriander.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds small zucchini, halved lengthwise

  • Coarse salt

  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 medium shallots (about 3 ½ ounces), thinly sliced crosswise

  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced crosswise

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and coarsely ground, plus flowering fresh coriander (cilantro) sprigs, for garnish (optional)

  • cup fresh or thawed frozen red huckleberries, plus more for garnish

  • cup cider vinegar

  • 1 block sheep's-milk feta (6 ounces), cut into ¼-inch-thick slices

Directions

  1. Place zucchini, cut side up, on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Season with 1 tablespoon salt, flip, and let stand until slightly softened and juices are released, about 1 1/2 hours. Gently squeeze zucchini, extracting as much liquid as possible, and pat dry.

  2. Meanwhile, preheat grill over medium-high heat. Brush zucchini with 2 tablespoons oil and grill, flipping once, until lightly charred and tender, about 15 minutes total. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Distribute shallot-and-garlic mixture evenly over zucchini. Sprinkle with coriander seeds, huckleberries, and 1 teaspoon salt. Drizzle with vinegar and remaining cup oil. Marinate mixture at least 1 hour at room temperature or (preferably) up to 24 hours in refrigerator. If refrigerated, bring mixture to room temperature before serving.

  4. Layer zucchini mixture and feta on a serving platter, drizzle with some marinade, and garnish with coriander sprigs and huckleberries.

Cook's Notes

Make-Ahead Magic
Marinated grilled zucchini with feta is a strategically smart party dish. You can prepare it a day ahead, and it just keeps getting better as it sits in the refrigerator.

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