In every family there are those go-to comfort meals that are quick and yummy and filling.  This is one of our family favorites. Much of the DNA in our kids’ bodies was built on this dish… that’s how many times we made it.  Our kids just love it, and it’s so easy. It’s basically a hard seared garden fresh zucchini pizza, with tons of umami flavors everyone loves.

One of the secrets we found was to use real Greek dried oregano, which is easy to order on Amazon.  It far more powerful than the usual stuff in the supermarkets, and it has a savory slightly licorice or anise quality. Amazing.

The other secret is to allow the garlicky veggies with the herbs to get hard seared, and the olive oil and tomatoes to acquire a wonderful aromatic creamy patina.  All this covered in melty smokey cheese.  Add smoked sausages if you want even more umami goodness. Enjoy!

Ingredients…

1 1/2 pounds young fresh zucchini, sliced into coins 1/4 inch thick
8 – 10 small tomatoes (like Campari or Early Girl) or 4 medium sized, sliced into 1 inch chunks
1 pound smoked sausage, chicken, turkey or pork, sliced into coins 1/4 thick, (optional, just leave this out if you are a vegetarian or are making this as a side dish)
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, smoked mozzarella, or smoked Provolone, grated or sliced
5 large garlic cloves, crushed
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon salt, to taste

Prep Work…

In a large bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon olive oil with the zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, salt and thyme.

Cooking…

In a 12 to 14 inch pan, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and gently fry the sausages on low to medium heat until slightly browned on both sides.  Remove and set aside.

In the same pan add the last two tablespoons of olive oil and when hot, add the veggies and herbs from the bowl.  Lay the zucchini down flat on the pan as best you can and on medium to high heat fry the veggies, uncovered, until the zucchini is seared on the bottom side, 6 to 8 minutes.  

With a spatula, turn over the zucchini and fry until the second second side has sear marks.  The tomatoes should be a thickened light saucey paste with the liquids reduced to a patina.  Now turn off the heat.

Add the already fried sausage coins on top of the zucchini, if you are using them.  Sprinkle on the grated Parmigiano.  

Now lay the shredded Jack, Mozzarella or Smoked Provolone on top.  Cover and allow the cheeses to become melty and creamy, about five minutes.  Enjoy!