Ingredient Vegetable Squash Zucchini Melting Zucchini 4.6 (11) 11 Reviews This Melting Zucchini recipe turns a simple summer vegetable into a flavorful side dish. Scoring and searing the zucchini adds depth and allows the quick pan sauce to infuse each piece with bright, savory flavors. The result is zucchini that practically melts in your mouth. It’s a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted fish or a grain-based main. By Renu Anshie Dhar Renu Anshie Dhar Renu Dhar has more than a decade of cumulative experience cooking as a personal chef and culinary instructor. As a personal chef, she developed over 1,000 personalized recipes and meal plans for her clients. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 29, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD See More Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Jump to recipe Close Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Active Time: 35 mins Total Time: 1 hr Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free Low-Carb Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Scoring and searing the zucchini lets the sauce soak in for maximum flavor.Zucchini contains carotenoids that are beneficial for skin and heart health. A squeeze of lemon brightens the buttery sauce, balancing richness with fresh, tangy flavor. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Keep Screen Awake Ingredients 1/2x 1x 2x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. This recipe was developed and tested at its original yield and has not been tested at other yields. Note that only the ingredient list is scaled, so you may need to make adjustments to ingredient amounts, cooking times and equipment sizes in the recipe steps. Scaling could also impact the nutrition analysis. Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings 2 medium zucchini (8 ounces each), stemmed and halved lengthwise 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup lower-sodium vegetable broth 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 small cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon) 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, plus leaves for garnish 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes Directions Preheat oven to 425°F. Score cut sides of zucchini halves in a crosshatch pattern, cutting about ⅛-inch deep. Slice the zucchini on an angle crosswise into 2-inch-long pieces. Pat dry with a paper towel. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sprinkle the cut sides of the zucchini evenly with ½ teaspoon salt. Arrange the zucchini cut-side down in an even layer. Reduce heat to medium; cook, undisturbed, until the bottoms are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the zucchini are softened, 15 to 17 minutes. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Combine ½ cup broth, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, the minced garlic and 1 teaspoon thyme in a measuring cup. Carefully pour the mixture into the skillet. Scatter cubed butter over the zucchini. Roast until the zucchini are tender and the liquid has reduced slightly, 6 to 7 minutes. Flip the zucchini; garnish with thyme leaves, if desired. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. EatingWell.com, August 2025 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 101 Calories 10g Fat 4g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size about 3 zucchini slices & 2¼ teaspoons sauce Calories 101 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 4g 1% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Total Sugars 2g Added Sugars 0g 0% Protein 1g 3% Total Fat 10g 12% Saturated Fat 4g 21% Cholesterol 15mg 5% Vitamin A 152µg Vitamin C 14mg 16% Vitamin D 0µg Vitamin E 1mg 6% Folate 29µg Vitamin K 8µg Sodium 288mg 13% Calcium 26mg 2% Iron 0mg 3% Magnesium 21mg 5% Potassium 290mg 6% Zinc 0mg 3% Vitamin B12 0µg Omega 3 0g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.