Zucchini is one of the most delicious vegetables out there, and when roasted properly, it makes a yummy side dish, which is extremely convenient to make. It’s a clever and delicious way of sneaking in some vegetables for people who don’t like consuming vegetables usually. However, since this vegetable has a major water profile, many people end up with a mushy and soggy texture. So, let’s see what can be done about it!
Why Is My Roasted Zucchini Soggy?
For the most part, the zucchini must be cooked quickly at a high heating temperature. This is because it has higher water content and tends to have tender flesh, which means it breaks down pretty quickly. In case you are cooking the zucchini in the stir fry and are adding other ingredients that need longer cooking times, you should add zucchini at the end because it doesn’t need much cooking and will be done pretty quickly. In particular, zucchini tends to take only a few minutes to cook the zucchini evenly and thoroughly.
You need to remember that zucchini is the filler and doesn’t impart any flavor to the meal like other heartier vegetables, such as carrots and onions. So, you don’t have to add it too early. Now, let’s see the reasons behind soggy zucchini!
1. Overcrowding The Cooking Pan
When you have to roast the zucchini, remember that adding too many ingredients to the pan will lead to a weird and mushy texture. This is because it prevents air circulation in the pan, which means the vegetables will be steamed rather than being roasted. That being said, you must not use too many vegetables in the cooking pan. In addition to this, you should bake the zucchini on the elevated baking rack as it helps with air circulation and prevents the chances of sogginess.
Secondly, if you have more slices of zucchini as compared to what can fit into the pan easily, you should use two sheet pans or cooking pans to cook the sliced zucchini. In the case of baking, you must put the pans in the lower and upper third racks of the oven, and don’t forget to switch the position of the pan.
2. Overbaking
Since the zucchini has to be roasted, it’s needless to say that you will use the oven but don’t forget to focus on the baking time. Zucchini is known to have a higher water content, which means if you overbake the vegetables, the water will start seeping out and result in a soggy texture. For this purpose, you need to focus on the baking time and cut zucchini into bigger pieces because they are hard to overcook. In fact, you can slice your vegetable into spears.
Tips To Make Perfect Roasted Zucchini
Roasted zucchini is one of the healthiest and most delicious ways of enjoying summer vegetables. Having said that, to make the perfect roasted zucchini, follow the tips outlined below;
- Always cut your zucchini into bigger pieces or spears to eliminate the chances of overbaking
- You must add your zucchini to the cooking pot at the end of the cooking cycle to make sure it doesn’t lose the texture
- Don’t forget to season the zucchini with some olive oil as it helps achieve the crispy texture, and the flavor will be enhanced as well
- Add parmesan cheese to the zucchini to achieve a delicate flavor and crispy texture
How To Make Crispy Roasted Zucchini
It is needless to say that roasted zucchini is quite easy to make and is surely a healthier alternative to baked potatoes and French fries. So, if you want to make crispy roasted zucchini without any sogginess, follow these steps;
- Cut off the trimming of the zucchini and slice them into the desired shape (you must cut out bigger pieces)
- Use your tray and layer up the zucchini pieces in the even and single layer. Then, sprinkle some salt on the vegetable to extract the moisture, and once the moisture comes out, tap it dry
- Add some vegetable oil on the top along with your desired vegetables, such as oregano or cumin
- Now, add grated parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor and achieve the golden-brown and crispy texture
- Make sure the zucchini pieces are evenly coated
- Now, just roast the vegetable for fifteen minutes at 200-degrees Celsius
- And you are done!