Description
These Mexican Grilled Zucchini Ribbon Skewers are a flavorful and visually stunning side dish featuring thinly sliced zucchini seasoned with tangy tajín and lightly brushed with olive oil, then char-grilled to perfection for a smoky, caramelized finish. Perfect for summer cookouts or as a vibrant addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 zucchini, sliced thin - approximately 1/8 inch thick
Seasonings and Oil
- ¼ cup tajín, more or less to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini: Slice the zucchini into thin ribbons approximately 1/8 inch thick using a mandoline slicer. Bend a slice gently to ensure it is thin enough to be flexible for skewering.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to high temperature, about 450° to 500° Fahrenheit, preparing it for direct grilling.
- Season Zucchini: Lay the zucchini slices out on a baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle tajín seasoning evenly over both sides of each zucchini slice.
- Skewer Zucchini: Carefully weave the seasoned zucchini ribbons onto bamboo or stainless steel skewers, folding or layering the ribbons to create an attractive and secure arrangement.
- Grill Zucchini: Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook, turning 2 to 3 times to achieve even charring and caramelization on all sides. This process should take about 10 minutes, resulting in tender, smoky ribbons with nice charred bits.
Notes
- If you don't have tajín, a mix of chili powder, lime zest, and salt can be used as a substitute.
- Be sure to use a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife to get consistent thin slices that can bend without breaking.
- Olive oil can be adjusted based on preference but avoid soaking the zucchini to prevent sogginess.
- Use bamboo skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning, or stainless steel skewers as a reusable option.
- Grilling over medium-high heat ensures caramelization without burning the zucchini too quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 136 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
