Grilled Zucchini Roll Recipe with Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers & Capers is an easy and flavorful vegetarian appetizer.
“No solicitors and no zucchini!” This is the sign that I need to plaster across my front door. You see, zucchini season isn’t far away and it’s only a matter of time before some mystery neighbor leaves a random bag of enormous green squash on our doorstep. This didn’t use to be a problem, but now we have our own vegetable garden and our plentiful bounty of zucchini.
You know those neighborhood watch signs that people put in their windows? Maybe we need one for squash squanderers. A zucchini with a big “X” through it, or a sign that says “Warning…zucchini-seeking guard dog on duty.”
Whether the zucchini comes from our own backyard or elsewhere, I figured that I need to start churning out the recipes so we’re prepared for the season. This recipe is inspired by one of the most popular recipes on my site, Grilled Zucchini Rolls with Herbed Goat Cheese & Olives.
Simply brush the zucchini slices with olive, season with salt and pepper, and give them a quick turn on the grill. Once they have a chance to cool down, spread some softened goat cheese on each slice, sprinkle on some diced roasted peppers and capers and roll away. That’s it. Quite honestly, I could happily eat the whole plate of rolls for lunch.
The recipe:
Preheat grill to high heat.
Slice a strip lengthwise from the zucchini to expose the inside of the vegetable. Discard or reserve for another use. Cut the 2 ends from the zucchini to make straight edges. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips.
Brush both sides of the zucchini pieces with olive oil. Season well kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Lay the zucchini pieces on the grill. Cook until the zucchini is very tender, but not mushy, about 3 minutes per side, moving the pieces during cooking to ensure even browning.
Remove the zucchini from the grill and set on a wire cooling rack.
Spread about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese on each zucchini slice. Divide the red pepper and capers evenly amongst the zucchini.
Gently roll each piece of zucchini. Serve.
Other light appetizers for summertime:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Strawberry, Brie Cheese, Honey & Basil Crostini
Cookin’ Canuck’s Shrimp, Avocado & Rice Noodle Spring Rolls
Katie at the Kitchen Door’s Smash Pea, Dill and Feta Crostini
Southern Boy Dishes’ Cucumber Rolls with Pesto Shrimp Salad
A Couple Cooks’ Roasted Tomato Almond Dip with Grilled Bread
Grilled Zucchini Roll Recipe with Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers & Capers
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 roll |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 52kcal Calories from fat 36 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol 3mg | 1% |
| Sodium 190mg | 8% |
| Carbohydrate 3g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Sugars 2g | |
| Protein 2g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck. www.cookincanuck.com
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized zucchini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 oz. herbed goat cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 roasted red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tsp capers
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high heat.
- Slice a strip lengthwise from the zucchini to expose the inside of the vegetable. Discard or reserve for another use. Cut the 2 ends from the zucchini to make straight edges. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into ½-inch strips.
- Brush both sides of the zucchini pieces with olive oil. Season well kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Lay the zucchini pieces on the grill. Cook until the zucchini is very tender, but not mushy, about 3 minutes per side, moving the pieces during cooking to ensure even browning.
- Remove the zucchini from the grill and set on a wire cooling rack.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese on each zucchini slice. Divide the red pepper and capers evenly amongst the zucchini.
- Gently roll each piece of zucchini. Serve.
Recipe Notes
Tieghan says
These look awesome. The perfect summer meal!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These look absolutely fabulous! Love this idea Dara!!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I could spread goat cheese on a piece of wood and be happy!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
LOL. I hear you, Liz!
Brianna says
Hehe. That’s so true about zucchini (the one vegetable no one feels stingy about giving!) These look delicious…what a great way to make an “okay” ingredient into a fab one! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
So true about zucchini-giving. I have friends here that tell tales of people opening their car doors and slipping in bags of zucchini.
Maria says
Just pinned this recipe! I love everything about it!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Gorgeous appetizer!
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
I. Love. This.
jamie @ green beans & grapefruit says
These look incredible.
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare says
I love it: “squash squanderers!” These look awesome! I bet the goat cheese and capers give it a real tangy flavor. I’ve been eating a lot of zucchini with soy sauce lately, so I’ll have to try this. Super creative!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Zucchini sauteed with soy sauce and a little chili-garlic sauce is the perfect combination!
Heather says
OK, 1: these look amazing and I’m pinning for dinner next week (before we get too tired of zucchini!!!) and 2: I’m sort of dying over the front door sign. It’s so true!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
These are such cute little bites.. Wonderful appetizers
Liz says
Can’t wait to try. Thank you.
kelley says
Feel free to send all “squash squanderers” my way! These look healthy, light and delicious!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I love this appetizer idea! So pretty and sounds fabulous!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
We are getting into zucchini season and I’m always amazed at how much just two plants can bring…so thanks for such a fun option.
Why I can’t just do one plant is beyond me but I guess I think one would be lonely. So one thing that I do with some of the abundance is to grate it and freeze 2 cup portions. Thaw and use for zucchini bread this coming winter!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
A couple of years ago, I finally figured out the benefits of grating and freezing. We make uncountable loaves of zucchini bread during the holidays and the pre-grated zucchini is such a time-saver.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
No solicitors and no zucchini… HA! I’m dying. 🙂
These look so tasty, and absolutely gorgeous!
ashley - baker by nature says
You literally rolled up ALL of my favorite flavors and foods into one gorgeous roll!!! I love these SO much, Dara! On my “to make” list for sure 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I am a super nut for zucchini especially grilled. I’ll take that bag of zucchini any day! I put it in everything!!
Bill says
Hi Dara,
Thanks so much for including my cucumber rolls in this post! I really appreciate the referrals and I’m so glad to find your blog. It looks fantastic and I look forward to spending some time here. Grilled zucchini is one of my favorites and this recipe looks like one I’m going to try soon!
Thanks again!
Bill
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Your recipe caught my eye and is now on my “must try” list.
The Café Sucre Farine says
Maybe you could direct your neighbors towards me, I would love a bag of zucchini on my doorstep! I’d make a big batch of these yummy roll ups!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
The first bag or two is always welcome. It’s when I have 12+ zucchini sitting on my counter that I start getting a little twitchy. 🙂
Nessa says
Such great pictures! Loving this idea 🙂
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Oh, Dara, I just got the first squash of summer from the CSA–and I’ve got goat cheese 3 ways (herbed, sun dried tomato-ed, and crumbled. I’m on it.
Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Perfect, Kirsten! I hope you enjoy it.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love grilled zucchini and I could easily make a meal out of these rolls!
JulieD says
I love zucchini! Especially grilled! Honestly, I wish I had that problem of someone dropping off fresh produce at my door! 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Yummy!! And it has my favorite ingredient — goat cheese 🙂
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day Dara, what a great dish and for entertaining too!
Might have to put this on the list for my next dinner party, TRUE!
Cheers! Joanne
Shareba says
These are so cute! They look tasty too 🙂
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
How gorgeous Dara! You’re singing right to my goat cheese loving heart!
Deborah says
I’ll take some of that zucchini on my doorstep!! 🙂 This is such a fun appetizer and a great way to use up that zucchini!
Shoba Shrinivasan says
I remember seeing these fab appetizer rolls in the Food TV magazne and I loved them! They had done grilled zuchinni with capers and tomatoes and some herbs. Either way I simply loved the idea. All the goodness rolled in to one. I am planning n slathering them with this amazing green goddess dressing/dip that I hve made. Tangy and salty and sweet. YUM! and I loved your clicks.
Shobha
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh wow! I love this recipe, these look so fun and delicious 🙂
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
mmm love Grilled Zucchini! What a great idea to stuff it!