Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta with Whipped Ricotta + Mint
This recipe for grilled zucchini bruschetta with Whipped Ricotta and Mint is an easy summer appetizer that comes together in 25 minutes. Made with grilled zucchini, lemony whipped ricotta, and fresh mint piled high on grilled Italian bread, it's a simple recipe great for any occasion.
I love an easy, fuss-free appetizer in the summer and I'm always looking for new ways to use up zucchini. This recipe is one of my favorites.
For more great zucchini recipes, try my spaghetti alla Nerano, my simple zucchini frittata, or my fresh zucchini salad.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy, beginner-friendly recipe made in just 25 minutes.
- Grilling the bread gives the crostini a great charred flavor.
- Folding ricotta into lightly whipped cream gives it a dreamy cloud-like texture.
- Lemon zest and mint add freshness and brightness.
Zucchini - Green zucchini, also called courgettes, are the most common, but this recipe can be made with any summer squash variety such as yellow squash, yellow zucchini, pattypan squash, Cousa squash, Zephyr squash or 8 ball zucchini.
Ricotta - Use a good quality, full-fat ricotta for this recipe. You can also use homemade ricotta, which will give it an even better flavor and texture.
Bread - The better the bread, the better your grilled zucchini bruschetta will turn out. Choose a high quality Italian bread or baguette and make sure it's fresh. Homemade bread is even better!
*Find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Electric mixer or large whisk
how to make Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat.
- Toss the zucchini with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Lightly brush each slice of bread with the remaining ¼ cup of olive oil.
- Grill the zucchini until each piece is charred on the outside, but still firm inside. Don't let them cook for too long or the will become mushy.
- Grill the bread on each side until nicely toasted, letting some parts get a little charred.
Pro Tip: Keep a close watch on the bread as you grill it, as it can go from perfectly charred to totally burnt in a matter of seconds.
- Allow the zucchini to cool slightly, then cut it into cubes and place them in a bowl. Taste, and season with salt and pepper if needed.
- In a medium sized bowl, use an electric mixer or large whisk or to whip the cream to soft peaks. Gently fold in the lemon zest, ricotta and a small pinch of salt until fully combined.
Pro Tip: Soft peaks means when you lift up the whisk, the peaks of the cream fall over and melt back into themselves.
- Spoon a generous dollop of the whipped ricotta on to each toast and spread it out to coat. Top with a spoonful of the grilled zucchini, then scatter and tear the mint leaves over top.
- Drizzle with a little more olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve.
Tips for Success
- Make sure your grill is piping hot when you cook the zucchini so that it can get a nice char on the outside without becoming mushy and overcooked. The key is to achieve that nice, smoky char while still keeping it slightly firm so it retains its shape when diced.
- Cream will whip faster and easier if it's very cold, so keep it refrigerated until right before whipping.
- Use a light touch when folding the ricotta into the whipped cream so it doesn't deflate and maintains that light and airy texture.
FAQs
No. Salting the zucchini first will help draw out its moisture, which is not necessary in this application. Skip the extra step and avoid the hassle!
Fresh mint gives this bruschetta a really lovely flavor, but if you don't like it or don't have any, basil makes a great substitute.
Yes! You can easily make this with a grill pan, cast iron skillet, griddle or broiler. The results will be a little bit different but still totally delicious.
Did you LOVE this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️ rating and comment and tag your creations @ColeyCooks on Instagram!
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Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta with Whipped Ricotta + Mint
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini or summer squash sliced lengthwise about ½ inch thick
- ¼ cup (plus 2 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil divided, plus more for drizzling
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8-10 pieces good quality crusty bread sliced on a diagonal about 1 inch thick
- 1 cup heavy cream ice cold
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese (1 pint)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- Flaky sea salt like Maldon for finishing, optional
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat.
- Toss the zucchini with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Lightly brush each slice of bread with the remaining ¼ cup of olive oil.
- Grill the zucchini until each piece is charred on the outside, but still firm inside. Don't let them cook for too long or the will become mushy.
- Grill the bread on each side until nicely toasted, letting some parts get a little charred.
- Allow the zucchini to cool slightly, then cut it into cubes and place them in a bowl. Taste, and season with salt and pepper if needed.
- In a medium sized bowl, use an electric mixer or large whisk or to whip the cream to soft peaks. Gently fold in the lemon zest, ricotta and a small pinch of salt until fully combined.
- Spoon a generous dollop of the whipped ricotta on to each toast and spread it out to coat. Top with a spoonful of the grilled zucchini, then scatter and tear the mint leaves over top.
- Drizzle with a little more olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve.
Notes
- while still keeping it slightly firm so it retains its shape when diced.
- Keep a close watch on the bread as you grill it, as it can go from perfectly charred to totally burnt in a matter of seconds.
- Cream will whip faster and easier if it's very cold, so keep it refrigerated until right before whipping.
- While the cream to soft peaks, which means when you lift up the whisk, the peaks of the cream fall over and melt back into themselves.
- Use a light touch when folding the ricotta into the whipped cream so it doesn't deflate and maintains that light and airy texture.
Nutrition
Had to come back and give you 5 star rating ! Such deliciousness.
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I tried one recipe, and that was fantastic ! When on to try several of you gorgeous, tasty rich, flavor packed recipes. All were keepers, hubby said they reminded him of his nonna's cooking (close enough for me) Thank you so much for sharing, we are all so happy ! Italian happy !
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment! I'm so happy you've been enjoying my recipes! 🙂
Wow. This was so easy and even more delicious than it sounds. I could eat that whipped ricotta like a bowl of ice cream
It's SO good, right?! Thanks for trying the recipe, so glad you enjoyed!
Wow, this looks and sounds amazing. Your descriptions of flavor get me right in the gut, literally, every time. Also now I read everything in your voice after watching your videos, which is cool? I think?
Anyway the moral of the story is that it's not even noon in LA and I'm about to imbibe in heavy cream and ricotta cheese. Thank you!!
You are oh-so-welcome, and thank YOU!! I love that you read everything in my voice! Haha!! I hope it doesn't sound as annoying in your head as it does in mine 🙂
I love this "secret" , it totally works for me. I've made the grilled veggies before with the herbed ricotta but now I'll make it even better;) Thanks!
The whipped cream is incredible! hope you love it as much as i do!!
This sounds absolutely in-freaking-credible and I must make it ASAP.
girl, it is! go make it, like, now!