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Golden squares of scarpaccia di zucchine with crisp edges cooling on a baking sheet, flecked with Parmesan and marjoram

Crispy Tuscan Scarpaccia di Zucchine (Zucchini Cake)

A thin, savory zucchini batter baked hot in a wide pan until the edges crisp and the center stays tender, an easy Tuscan side dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian (Tuscan)
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

Zucchini
  • 700 g zucchini, coarsely grated
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt for drawing out water
Batter
  • 150 g all-purpose or 00 flour
  • 2 eggs large
  • 200 ml whole milk
  • 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil total; 3 tbsp for batter, 2 tbsp for the pan
  • 50 g Parmesan, grated
  • 1 small onion or spring onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp fresh marjoram leaves or thyme
  • black pepper to taste

Method
 

Prep the zucchini
  1. Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater into a colander set over a bowl. Toss with 1 tsp salt and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out water.
  2. Squeeze the zucchini hard in a clean kitchen towel until no more liquid drips out. Set aside.
Make the batter
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C / 390F. Brush a 30x40 cm rimmed baking sheet generously with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and remaining 3 tbsp olive oil until smooth.
  3. Whisk in the flour a little at a time until the batter is smooth and lump-free, like a thin pancake batter.
  4. Fold in the squeezed zucchini, Parmesan, onion, marjoram, and a generous grind of black pepper.
Bake
  1. Pour the batter onto the prepared pan and spread evenly to about 1 cm thick, right to the edges.
  2. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the edges are dark and crisp.
  3. Cool for 10 minutes on the pan before cutting into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Squeeze zucchini bone dry, this is the biggest factor in getting crisp edges.
  • Spread batter no thicker than 1 cm or the center stays gummy.
  • Use a light-colored metal pan, dark pans scorch the bottom before the top browns.
  • Broil for 2 minutes at the end if the edges aren't crisp enough.