Courgette bake

Ingredients

• 1onion
• 500 gcourgette
• to tastesalt
• 250 gsoft salami
• 250 ml (1 cup)vegetable oil
• 45 ml (3 tablespoons)breadcrumbs
• to tasteground black pepper
• 150 ghard cheese
• as neededfat, for greasing
• 1 packetbaking powder
• unspecifiedeggs
• to tastechives

Instructions

1. 1

   Grate and combine

   Remove the seeds from the courgette and grate it. Add the grated cheese, salami and eggs, followed by the baking powder, salt, pepper, chopped onion and chives. Pour in the oil and add the breadcrumbs.

2. 2

   Bake the mixture

   Mix everything together, then transfer it to a greased and breadcrumb-dusted baking dish. Bake in the oven until cooked through; the source recipe does not specify a temperature or baking time.

What is courgette bake?

Courgette bake is a savoury oven dish built around grated courgette, with cheese and salami adding richness and flavour. This version comes from a Czech recipe and uses a simple mixed batter rather than layers.

The courgette keeps the mixture moist, while breadcrumbs and baking powder help give it structure. Since the recipe does not specify a baking time or temperature, use visual and texture cues to judge when it is ready.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 970 calories, 29g protein, 20g carbs, 88g fat.

The courgette and breadcrumbs contribute most of the carbohydrates, while the oil supplies much of the fat. Salami, cheese and eggs provide much of the protein, and the salami and cheese also contribute sodium. Pair a portion with salad or other vegetables for a fresher, more balanced plate.

Prepare the courgette

Remove the seeds: the method specifically calls for seeding the courgette before grating it. If the courgette is particularly watery, gently squeeze out some excess liquid so the mixture is not too loose.

Build the mixture

Grated cheese and salami: these are folded into the courgette along with eggs, onion and chives. Grate or chop them finely enough to distribute through the mixture.

Oil and breadcrumbs: the recipe adds a full cup of oil and three tablespoons of breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly so the oil is dispersed rather than pooling at the bottom.

Prepare the baking dish

Grease and dust: coat the baking dish with fat, then sprinkle it with breadcrumbs before adding the mixture. This helps the bake release more easily once cooked.

Check for doneness

Look for a set centre: the source gives no oven temperature or timing, so avoid relying on a fixed estimate. The bake should no longer look liquid in the middle; check the centre with a skewer or knife, which should come out without wet batter.

Serving ideas

Serve the bake warm, with a crisp green salad or lightly dressed vegetables to balance its rich, savoury ingredients. It can also be served in smaller squares as part of a buffet or picnic spread.

Recipe notes & tips

• Seed the courgette before grating, as directed in the method.
• Grate the cheese and chop the salami and onion evenly so they are spread through the bake.
• Mix well to disperse the oil throughout the courgette mixture.
• Grease the dish thoroughly and dust it with breadcrumbs to help the bake release.
• Check the centre for wet batter because the recipe does not give a baking time or oven temperature.

Variations

• Fresh herbs: add extra chives for a more pronounced herbal flavour.
• Different cheese: use another firm, grateable cheese in place of the hard cheese.
• More vegetables: mix in finely grated carrot for extra vegetable variety.
• Spicier flavour: add a little chilli or paprika alongside the pepper.
• Meat-free version: replace the salami with chopped mushrooms or another savoury vegetable.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the seeds in: remove them before grating, as the method specifies.
• Watery mixture: squeeze excess liquid from a very wet courgette before combining.
• Oil pooling: mix the ingredients thoroughly so the oil is distributed.
• Unprepared dish: grease and breadcrumb the baking dish before adding the mixture.
• Guessing by the clock: the source gives no time or temperature, so check that the centre is set.

How to store

Cool leftovers and keep them in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the oven or microwave until hot throughout.

Frequently asked questions