The Simplest Stir Fried Italian Zucchini

Stir Fried Italian zucchini is mildly flavored and so versatile. It complements garlic and herbs in this easy recipe.

With six simple ingredients and a large skillet, you can make Stir Fried Italian Zucchini, the perfect side dish for almost any dinner. While zucchini is plentiful during the summer months, it’s a great side dish option all year long.

Stir Fried Italian Zucchini Recipe:

Zucchini is one of my favorite summer vegetables.  I pan fry it, roast it, bake it in pies, breads and cakes. Now, I’m happy to add this easy sauteed zucchini to my list of favorites.

I’ve had this recipe for a long time, all the way back to my college days when I lived with 30 other girls in a cooperative house at Purdue University. Honestly, I’ve been meaning to make it for a long time. It’s been marked and looked at and looked at again. But I have so many other favorite zucchini recipes that it kept getting put on the back burner.

Recently, I started a 30 day challenge to eat clean and reset my digestive track. With that, I’ve been on vegetable overload, making this the perfect time. Let me tell you, it is delicious! My husband commented that I was making an obscene amount of zucchini for lunch, but I ate half of the pan all by myself.

Ingredient List

• Sliced Zucchini
• Olive Oil
• Minced Garlic
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt
• Black Pepper

How to Sauté Zucchini

Step By Step Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, sauté sliced zucchini in olive oil, stirring occasionally until golden brown or to your desired consistency.
2. Add minced garlic, and continue to saute for 30 seconds to 1 minute longer.
3. Remove from heat; and drain onto paper towels.
4. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 5 – 7 days.

For the full instructions for stir fried zucchini, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

• The end outcome of this Stir Fried Italian Zucchini is in your hands. If you prefer a soft zucchini (I do), then sauté for 10-15 minutes or until nicely browned and falling apart. Some people prefer a crisp-tender zucchini. In that case, sauté for approximately 5 minutes before adding the garlic.
• Make your own Italian Seasoning blend by combining oregano, rosemary, basil and/or thyme or substitute any of your favorite seasonings for Italian seasoning if desired.
• This recipe can easily follow a clean-eating diet or be a part of a 30 day clean eating challenge such as Arbonne 30 days to healthy eating. To make it clean, use all organic ingredients and substitute Pink Himalayan Salt for seas salt.

Recipe Variations for Stir Fried Zucchini

• Add fresh tomatoes with the zucchini during the cooking process, or stir in fresh diced tomatoes at the end.
• Substitute in other types of oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Sprinkle fresh herbs over top before serving. Fresh basil or fresh parsley look beautiful.
• Top with Parmesan cheese. YUM!
• Use summer squash (yellow squash) instead of zucchini.

Easy Zucchini Recipes

Spicy Roasted Zucchini

Old Fashioned Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Mom’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Fritters

Should I remove seeds from large zucchini?

If you are using an extra large zucchini, it is going to have some extra large seeds on the inside. I recommend, cutting the zucchini length-wise in half. Then take a spoon, and scoop out the seeds to discard. Use what remains in your recipe.

Can you eat huge zucchini?

In theory, you can eat a huge zucchini; however, it will have very large seeds on the inside. If you want to use it so that it is not wasted, cut the zucchini in half, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. The seeds can be tossed to the trash, and the rest is ok to use.

Do you peel zucchini before cutting?

Zucchini have a thin peel. This means the skin can be left intact before cutting. If you prefer to peel a zucchini, it is fine; however, peeling it is not necessary.

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