At a glance
Halve medium zucchini lengthwise, score the cut sides and salt them for 15 minutes to draw out water. Pat them dry, brush them with garlic oil and smoke them cut side up at 275°F for 30 to 45 minutes, until just tender. Melt parmesan on top for the last 5 minutes and finish with herbs and lemon.
Smoked zucchini is the answer to a summer glut. The mild squash takes on smoke and garlic beautifully, and a little parmesan on top makes it a side that disappears fast. The secret to avoiding soggy zucchini is a quick salting to draw out water before it goes in the smoker.
Avoiding soggy zucchini
Zucchini is mostly water. Salting the cut sides for 15 minutes pulls some of that water out, so the zucchini roasts in the smoker rather than steaming. Pat it dry before brushing on the oil. A slightly higher smoker temperature, around 275°F, also helps.
Smoked zucchini boats
For a more filling dish, scoop out the seedy centers of the halves to make boats. Fill them with cooked sausage or ground beef, marinara and mozzarella, and smoke them at 275°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the filling is hot and the cheese is bubbling.
Recipe
Smoked Zucchini
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 hr 5 min
- Makes
- 4 servings as a side
- Smoker 275°F (135°C)
- About 30 to 45 minutes
- Done when just tender
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup (25 g) grated parmesan
- Chopped basil or parsley and lemon wedges, to serve
Equipment
- Smoker
- Sheet pan or wire rack
Method
- Trim the ends and cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Score the cut sides in a crosshatch.
- Sprinkle the cut sides with salt and leave for 15 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat dry.
- Mix the oil, garlic, paprika and pepper and brush it over the cut sides.
- Heat the smoker to 275°F (135°C) with apple, cherry or pecan.
- Smoke cut side up for 30 to 45 minutes, until just tender when pierced.
- Sprinkle with parmesan for the last 5 minutes so it melts.
- Finish with herbs and a squeeze of lemon and serve warm.
Notes
- Medium zucchini are best. Large ones are watery and seedy.
- For a little color, sear the cut sides over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes before or after smoking.
Serving ideas
- Alongside smoked chicken or fish.
- Chopped into pasta with olive oil, lemon and parmesan.
- On a platter with smoked asparagus and carrots.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to smoke zucchini?
About 30 to 45 minutes at 275°F for halved medium zucchini.
Can I smoke yellow squash the same way?
Yes. Yellow summer squash cooks in the same time.
Do I need to peel zucchini before smoking?
No. The skin helps it hold its shape.