Zucchini Bags: Delicious And Healthy

Zucchini bags are a recipe that has been successful in many kitchens thanks to its easy preparation and, above all, the little time it takes. It is a meal intended as a starter or light garnish. In addition, like crepes, flour or puff pastry-based preparations, among others, it admits various combinations.

To prepare the following zucchini bags, you don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen or have any kind of special skills. With just a good peeler, a kitchen knife and a few ingredients we can prepare them to perfection. Of course, it will be essential to have fresh zucchini.

The recipe is actually a kind of vegetable carpaccio with filling, arranged in the shape of a cross and wrapped in such a way that it looks like a small package or sack.

Zucchini and salmon sachets

Zucchini bags with meat can be prepared in many different ways. Some are made with fish and shellfish, using shrimp, salmon, tuna, or hake. And others with red and white meats, such as chicken, turkey, veal or Serrano ham, among others.

Depending on our choice, the sachet will become more or less salty.  So it will be necessary to season in different ways to get each mixture of ingredients to have the desired flavor.

Ingredients (for 1 or 2 people)

• Olive oil, fresh salmon, 150 grams, and 1 medium egg.
• 1 cup of flour and ½ cup of breadcrumbs, 75 grams.
• 2 large zucchini and 1 cup of goat cheese, 200 grams.
• Spreadable dressing, for example mayonnaise.
• Optionally, you can add salt, black pepper, Provencal herbs or lemon juice.

Preparation

First, we put a pan to preheat over low heat, with a splash of olive oil. Next, we peel the zucchini to obtain long and thin strips. And then we reserve.

Besides, we clean and cut the salmon into very thin strips. After that, we season with salt, pepper and plenty of lemon juice; This will require about 30 or 45 milliliters. That is, 2 or 3 tablespoons. So, we cut the goat cheese into small slices, not too thick.

Once it has been done, we take two strips of zucchini and place one horizontally and the other vertically on top. To form a cross.

Now we proceed to place a slice of cheese in the center of the cross. On the cheese, we will place a slice of salmon and close the bag. We go through the center with a wooden toothpick to hold all the ingredients.

Finally, in a bowl, we break the egg and beat it. In another bowl, mix the flour and breadcrumbs. Afterwards, we dip the bag for a moment in the egg and then we pass it through the mixture of flour and bread. To finish, fry the bag in plenty of olive oil until it is completely browned.

Zucchini and Serrano ham bags

Ingredients (for 1 or 2 people)

• Olive oil, serrano ham, 150 grams, and 1 medium egg.
• 1 cup of flour and ½ cup of breadcrumbs.
• 2 large zucchini and 1 cup of goat cheese.
• Spreadable dressing, for example mayonnaise.
• Seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, garlic, and parsley

Preparation

To prepare the following zucchini bags, the first thing to do is peel the vegetables to get several thin strips.

In this way, we preheat a frying pan over medium heat, lightly greased with a little olive oil. After that, we  cook the zucchini strips ‘on the grill’ for a few minutes.  Then we turn off the fire and proceed to form our little bags, as mentioned in the previous recipe.

Besides, we crush the fresh garlic and proceed to add a little olive oil, black pepper, salt and parsley. In the center of the cross, we place a slice of cheese and a slice of Serrano ham and add a little of the prepared dressing before closing the bag.

Finally, before frying, it is advisable to pass the product through an egg and then through the mixture of flour and bread. 

Zucchini bags are very easy to prepare once the ingredients are correctly available. Of course, the success of the recipe also lies in the proportions ; If we fill the bags too much, we run the risk of them falling apart when fried. In this sense, it is necessary to be moderate.

Regarding the preparation of zucchini strips, it is important to note that, in general, they do not need to be cooked. However, if you want to prepare them in this way, the best option is to grill them. This way they are at the right point so that the zucchini is neither too hard nor too white.