CREAMY ZUCCHINI TOAST RECIPE for a Tasty Dish
Tired of the usual toast? Get ready to discover a new and exciting way to bring to the table a dish that will win over everyone, both young and old! Our zucchini toast with ham and cheese is a creative and incredibly tasty twist on the classic comfort food.
Forget the idea of a simple toasted sandwich: here we talk about delicious layers of soft bread, wrapped in a velvety zucchini cream, enriched with the bold flavor of cooked ham and the melty softness of cheese. It is the perfect solution for a quick dinner, a light but satisfying lunch, or a fanciful appetizer with friends.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. Using a few easily accessible ingredients, you’ll transform common zucchini into a creamy base that elevates the flavor of every bite. Ideal for those who seek tasty dishes but do not want to spend hours in the kitchen, this toast is prepared in no time and offers an explosion of taste. Moreover, it’s an excellent strategy to make vegetables appreciated even by the most reluctant, thanks to its enveloping texture and balanced taste.
Ready to bake (or use the air fryer!) your next favorite dish? Follow our detailed steps and get ready to receive compliments!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Oven, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 397.28 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 27.13 (g) of which sugars 8.09 (g)
- Proteins 22.49 (g)
- Fat 22.33 (g) of which saturated 9.18 (g)of which unsaturated 5.27 (g)
- Fibers 0.73 (g)
- Sodium 814.50 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 125 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Zucchini Toast with Ham and Cheese Recipe
For ingredient notes and substitutions, see the appropriate section at the end of the recipe
- 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread (or white)
- 2 zucchini (medium)
- 7 oz béchamel sauce (also vegetable)
- 3.5 oz mozzarella for pizza
- 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 slices cheese (such as provola, edamer, mild scamorza)
- 4 slices cooked ham
Tools
- Kitchen Scale
- Grater
- Immersion Blender
- Baking Tray
Step-By-Step Procedure EASY and TASTY TOAST RECIPE
For the Toast cooking, you can proceed either in the traditional oven or with the air fryer: you will find both procedures in the recipe description
Start by washing and trimming the zucchini. Grate them with a large-hole grater. Transfer the grated zucchini into the bowl of an immersion blender and add the béchamel. Blend everything until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream, without lumps. This will be the velvety base of your toast.
Take a baking tray and cover it with parchment paper. Place two slices of toast bread on the tray, side by side. Evenly distribute about half of the freshly prepared zucchini cream over the two slices of bread, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to achieve an even layer.
On the zucchini cream, place two slices of cooked ham. Then, cover the ham with a layer of sliced cheese. Finally, add two more slices of cooked ham over the cheese. This double layer of ham will make the toast even richer and more flavorful.
Close the toast by overlapping the other two slices of toast bread. Cover the entire “sandwich” with the remaining zucchini cream, spreading it evenly over the entire surface. For an irresistible final touch, generously sprinkle with chopped mozzarella for pizza and grated Parmesan.
In Oven: Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F (or fan at 340°F) for about 15-20 minutes. The toast will be ready when a delicious golden crust forms, and the cheese is melted and stringy. In Air Fryer: If you prefer a quicker cooking, bake in the air fryer at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Check the browning to ensure it’s just right.
Once out of the oven, let the toast rest for a couple of minutes: this will help the cheese set and make cutting easier. Serve warm and enjoy every single bite!
NOTES Ingredients and Substitutions
ZUCCHINI are the stars of this recipe, bringing lightness and a creamy base rich in vitamins and minerals. For a more intense flavor, choose small, tender zucchini.
BÉCHAMEL is essential for the creamy texture of the sauce. You can use ready-made béchamel for convenience, or prepare it at home for an even more genuine result. If you have intolerances or prefer a lighter version, you can opt for a vegetable béchamel (made with soy or oat milk) or a fresh ricotta cream blended with a little milk to make it more fluid.
COOKED HAM can be replaced with turkey breast or bresaola for a lighter alternative, or with lightly sautéed speck for a more intense and smoky flavor.
SLICED CHEESE any cheese that melts well will work: mild scamorza adds a smoky note, fontina is very melty, while edamer or provola are more neutral and delicate.
MOZZARELLA for pizza is ideal for the topping due to its melting ability, but you can also use fresh mozzarella well drained and coarsely chopped to prevent it from releasing too much water.
Storage
The zucchini toast is delicious when enjoyed freshly made. If there are leftovers, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for a maximum of 1-2 days. To reheat it, I recommend using the oven at 320°F for a few minutes or the air fryer, to maintain the external crispness and internal creaminess. I do not recommend the microwave, which could make it rubbery.
Alternative Toast Ideas and Creative Variants
This recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity!
Vegetarian Toast: Remove the ham and add sauteed champignon mushrooms (1.8 oz) or thinly sliced grilled eggplant (1 grilled zucchini). For an extra flavor touch, try adding some smoked paprika to the zucchini cream.
Mediterranean Toast: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes (0.7 oz) and a few leaves of fresh basil between the layers of ham and cheese. You could also replace the Parmesan with grated Pecorino for a more intense flavor.
“Rich Toast”: For foodies, you can add a thin layer of crispy bacon (1 oz) or mix a few tablespoons of robiola or stracchino into the zucchini cream to make it even more enveloping. If you love spicy, a pinch of chili pepper in the cream will give it an extra kick.
Seafood Toast: Replace the ham with smoked salmon (1.8 oz) and add a pinch of chopped chives to the zucchini cream for a fresher flavor.
Indicative Nutritional Values
This toast, although a delicious comfort food, offers a good supply of carbohydrates from the bread, proteins from the ham and cheese, and a fair amount of fibers and vitamins thanks to the zucchini. It is a complete and balanced meal, excellent for providing energy without being heavy. The zucchini, in particular, are rich in water, vitamins A and C, and minerals like potassium.
Pairing Suggestions
This toast is a perfect standalone dish. To complete the meal, you can pair it with a fresh mixed salad with cherry tomatoes and corn, or a simple portion of grilled vegetables. As for beverages, a light and fresh white wine, such as a Vermentino or a Pinot Grigio, pairs well with the delicate flavors. If you prefer something non-alcoholic, a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon or a fresh fruit juice will complete the experience.
Origins and History of the Recipe
Toast, in its simplest form of toasted bread, has ancient origins, almost as old as bread itself. It was a way to preserve and make stale bread more appetizing. The idea of filling two slices of bread to create a toasted “sandwich” as we know it today became widespread in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, becoming a symbol of homemade comfort food. The most famous version, the “grilled cheese sandwich,” is a classic of American cuisine.
This zucchini toast recipe represents a modern evolution of the concept of stuffed toast. It arises from the need to introduce more vegetables into the daily diet in a tasty and inviting way, reinterpreting a traditional dish with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The use of béchamel to create a velvety and enveloping cream is distinctly Italian, recalling the richness of dishes like lasagna or cannelloni, but applied here to a quick and informal preparation. It is the meeting of the practicality of “fast food” and the richness of Mediterranean flavors, a perfect blend for contemporary tables.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I prepare the zucchini cream in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the zucchini cream with béchamel even the day before and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. I recommend taking it out of the fridge about ten minutes before using it, to let it soften slightly.
What is the best type of bread for this recipe?
Classic toast bread is ideal because it is soft and absorbs the cream well while remaining compact. You can also use sandwich bread, whole wheat bread, or multigrain bread for a different taste, as long as the slices are robust enough to support the filling.
Can I freeze the zucchini toast?
It is not advisable to freeze the zucchini toast once assembled or cooked. The texture of the bread and cream might alter with thawing, becoming watery or rubbery. It is best to prepare and enjoy it fresh.
