Marinated Zucchini (Sweet - Sour)

 Ingredients: We need the following ingredients (the proportion being one zucchini with an apple or a splash) Zucchini Apples Marinade (2 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, one tablespoon of salt and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar for every liter of liquid) Pepper Allspice Bay Leaves Horseradish Cherry leaves and twigs

To prepare a delicious and original dish, we start by slicing the zucchini and apples into pieces about 5 cm thick. These will be filled later, and to prevent the apples from oxidizing, we immediately place them in a bowl of water and vinegar. This step is essential as it helps us maintain the vibrant color of the apples and keep them fresh. The zucchini, on the other hand, are left in a sieve to drain excess water, which will improve their texture.

In a separate pot, we prepare the marinade, which we boil for 10 minutes. This will be the flavorful base that will give taste to our vegetables and fruits. Once the marinade has boiled, we add the zucchini and apples simultaneously, ensuring they are completely submerged. We let them boil for 1-2 minutes, just enough to soften slightly but not lose their crunchy texture. Then, we quickly remove them from the pot and carefully arrange them in sterilized jars.

For an extra flavor boost, we add a few strips of horseradish among the zucchini and apples in the jars. This will provide a spicy note and enhance the flavor of the dish. Next, in the hot marinade, we add cherry leaves or twigs, which will enrich the final taste. After the leaves have softened, we pour the hot marinade over the zucchini and apples, ensuring everything is well covered.

After we have filled the jars, we seal them tightly and turn them upside down to ensure a vacuum is formed, thus helping with their preservation. We let the jars cool completely, and thus our dish will be ready to be enjoyed. These preserved vegetables and fruits can be filled with a variety of creams, such as those based on fish, cheese, or olives, giving them versatility in use.

The core of the zucchini, carefully removed, can be used to prepare a delicious mix that we can grill, along with a bit of cheese. This dish is not only tasty but also very attractive, perfect to be served as an appetizer at a festive meal or as a side dish to a main course. Thus, the recipe becomes not just a simple dish but an unforgettable culinary experience!

 Tags:  zucchini sugar apples gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes fat-free recipes