Get the App

Recipes

Find a Recipe Blue Ribbon Recipes Pinch It!™ Feed Browse All Recipes

Editorial

Food Bites & Articles Videos What is a Blue Ribbon? Meet the Test Kitchen

Community

Member Recipes Groups Sweepstakes Contests Shopping

zucchini and quinoa medley

(3 RATINGS)
273 Pinches 10 Photos
Swoodsgirl avatar
Lake Charles, LA
Updated on Jun 23, 2023

I threw this together for lunch one day. Brought it to work and it was a big hit! We had it as a side with broiled red snapper. It really complemented the dish.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Wondering what to do with extra zucchini? This zucchini and quinoa medley is a wonderful summertime side dish and a different way to use zucchini. Seasoned perfectly, caramelized onions and mushrooms are mixed in. Zucchini is rich in vitamins, and quinoa is full of protein. Full of flavor, no one will guess this side dish is healthy. Leftovers will make a delicious light lunch.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 10 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Stove Top
yield 6 - 8

Ingredients

  • COOKED QUINOA
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa (rinse/soak for 5 minutes)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt or to taste
  • ZUCCHINI
  • 5 - 6 - zucchini, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 3/4 cup sliced onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • - salt, to taste
  • - black pepper, to taste
  • - garlic powder, to taste

How To Make zucchini and quinoa medley

  • Soaking quinoa in water.
    Step 1
    To prepare quinoa, cover it with water in the saucepan that you will be cooking it in. Let soak for 5 minutes. This removes some of the hulls. Hint: I usually soak and drain twice during these 5 minutes.
  • Water drained and chicken broth added to saucepan.
    Step 2
    Drain well and add the chicken broth.
  • Cooking the quinoa.
    Step 3
    Bring to a boil. Stir, cover, and simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until cooked. Quinoa cooks like rice - so you can also use a rice cooker to do this. After cooking the quinoa, strain any extra chicken broth in the pot.
  • Sauteeing onions and mushrooms.
    Step 4
    To prepare the zucchini, in a large skillet (with lid) start cooking sliced onions and mushrooms in olive oil and butter on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until wilted. Stir often.
  • Adding zucchini to the onions and mushrooms.
    Step 5
    Add zucchini.
  • Cooking the zucchini.
    Step 6
    Stir and cover. Let it start steaming - stirring occasionally. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Add seasonings and chives. Stir and turn off. I like to cook the zucchini to be less than firm. To me, it tastes better when mixed with the quinoa. Some people like it crunchier, so cook/steam it to your liking.
  • Adding quinoa to sauteed zucchini.
    Step 7
    Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the cooked zucchini mixture. Stir well.
  • Topping the zucchini with shredded Parmesan.
    Step 8
    Then top with shredded Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

ADVERTISEMENT
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes