Savory Italian Zucchini Quiche with Spicy Tomato Sauce
This delightful Italian Zucchini Quiche is a perfect choice for brunch or a light lunch, featuring layers of fresh zucchini, sweet onions, and a creamy cottage cheese filling. The quiche is enhanced by a home-cooked spicy tomato sauce peppered with jalapeños, providing a delightful contrast of flavors. Serve the tomato sauce on the side to allow everyone to customize their slice, making it an interactive dish for gatherings. This recipe is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome choice for any meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
zucchini
2 cups (thinly sliced)
onion
1 cup (thinly sliced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (for sautéing)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
tomatoes
2 medium (peeled and chopped)
tomato paste
1 cup (for sauce)
dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon
dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon
jalapeno pepper
1 (chopped (optional))
small curd cottage cheese
2 cups
eggs
3
milk
3/4 cup
mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (grated (low fat optional))
pie shell
1 (10-inch, unbaked)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced zucchini, onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and set aside to cool slightly.
3
In a saucepan, combine the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped jalapeño (if using), dried oregano, and dried tarragon. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and the sauce has thickened. Set aside.
4
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, and milk until well blended. Set aside.
5
Place the sautéed zucchini mixture evenly into the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.
6
Pour the egg and cottage cheese mixture over the zucchini layer, then drizzle 4 tablespoons of the prepared tomato sauce on top.
7
Bake the quiche in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the filling is fully set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8
Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese on top. Return the quiche to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9
While the quiche is baking, reheat the remaining tomato sauce.
10
Once done, remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve the quiche warm with the spicy tomato sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Italian Zucchini Quiche?
It is a savory Italian-style quiche made with zucchini, sweet onions, and a creamy cottage cheese filling, served with a spicy tomato sauce.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes 2 cups of thinly sliced zucchini and 1 cup of thinly sliced onions.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What is the base of the quiche filling?
The filling is made by whisking together 2 cups of cottage cheese, 3 eggs, and 3/4 cup of milk.
What ingredients are in the spicy tomato sauce?
The sauce contains chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, optional jalapeño, dried oregano, and dried tarragon.
Is the jalapeño pepper mandatory?
No, the chopped jalapeño pepper is an optional ingredient for the sauce.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F or 175°C.
How do I prepare the zucchini and onions?
Sauté them in 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until tender and the onions are translucent.
What type of pie shell is needed?
A 10-inch unbaked pie shell is required.
How do I layer the quiche?
Place the sautéed zucchini mixture in the bottom of the shell, pour the egg and cottage cheese mixture over it, and drizzle 4 tablespoons of tomato sauce on top.
How long does the quiche bake initially?
The quiche bakes for 35 minutes or until the filling is fully set.
How do I check if the quiche is done?
Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the quiche is set.
What cheese is used for the topping?
1/2 cup of grated mozzarella cheese is used as a topping.
When do I add the mozzarella cheese?
Sprinkle the mozzarella on top after the initial 35-minute bake, then return it to the oven for 5-7 minutes.
Can I use low-fat cheese?
Yes, the recipe notes that low-fat mozzarella cheese is an optional choice.
How should the tomato sauce be served?
Serve the remaining warm tomato sauce on the side for guests to customize their slices.
What are the dried herbs used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon of dried tarragon.
How many eggs are needed for the quiche?
The recipe requires 3 eggs.
How much milk is used in the mixture?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk.
What kind of cottage cheese should be used?
Small curd cottage cheese is specified for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is tagged as a vegetarian dish.
What is the preparation for the tomatoes?
The 2 medium tomatoes should be peeled and chopped.
How much tomato paste is needed?
One cup of tomato paste is used for the sauce.
What occasion is this quiche best for?
It is described as a perfect choice for brunch or a light lunch.
Should the sautéed vegetables be cooled?
Yes, they should be set aside to cool slightly before being added to the pie shell.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much salt is included?
1 teaspoon of salt is used to season the vegetables.
Can the tomato sauce be reheated?
Yes, you should reheat the remaining tomato sauce while the quiche is finishing its final bake.
How long should the quiche cool before slicing?
It should cool for a few minutes after being removed from the oven.