Skip to main content

Kousa bi Laban Zabadi

For this Arab and Turkish way of serving zucchini, the vegetables may be deep-fried, grilled, or broiled.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound zucchini, cut into slices lengthwise
Olive or vegetable oil
Salt
1 1/2 cups plain whole-milk or thick strained Greek-style yogurt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Deep-fry the zucchini in hot oil till lightly browned, turning the slices over once, then drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt. Alternatively, brush the slices with oil and grill or broil them (see variation for broiling procedure).

    Step 2

    Serve hot or cold with yogurt spread over each slice.

  2. Variations

    Step 3

    The yogurt may be flavored with 1 crushed garlic clove and 2 teaspoons dried crushed mint.

    Step 4

    To broil the zucchini, arrange the slices on a tray, brush both sides very lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Put under the broiler, and cook, turning them over once, until browned.

    Step 5

    Another traditional accompaniment is a fresh tomato sauce. Use the one for eggplants on page 81.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
A punchy, spicy peanut vinaigrette transforms a simply grilled steak into a showstopping main.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.