Side Dish · Mediterranean · African ·

Exotic Moroccan Zaalouk of Zucchini with Mint and Lemon

Name: Exotic Moroccan Zaalouk of Zucchini with Mint and Lemon
Prep time: 23 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 93 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients: Zucchini, 4 medium — sliced into half moons; Salt, 1 tsp; Olive Oil, 1 tbsp; Tomatoes, 3 ripe — diced; Garlic, 2 cloves — minced; Ground Cumin, 1 tsp; Paprika, 1 tsp; Ground Coriander, ½ tsp; Olive Oil, 2 tbsp; Fresh Mint Leaves, 2 tbsp — chopped; Lemon, 1 — juiced and zested

A traditional Moroccan side dish featuring tender zucchini in a fragrant tomato sauce with a hint of lemon and mint.

4.7(520 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 24, 2025

Exotic Moroccan Zaalouk of Zucchini with Mint and Lemon — Side Dish served and photographed from above

Prep

23 min

Cook

1 h 10 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Zucchini

For the Tomato Sauce

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 137 kcal
Protein: 2.25 g
Carbs: 9.25 g
Fat: 11 g
Fiber: 3.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 547 kcal
Protein: 9 g
Carbs: 37 g
Fat: 44 g
Fiber: 13 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Zucchini 4 medium — sliced into half moons	80	6	14	1	4
Salt 1 tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Olive Oil 1 tbsp	120	0	0	14	0
Tomatoes 3 ripe — diced	66	3	14	1	5
Garlic 2 cloves — minced	9	0	2	0	0
Ground Cumin 1 tsp	8	0	1	0	1
Paprika 1 tsp	6	0	1	0	1
Ground Coriander ½ tsp	4	0	1	0	0
Olive Oil 2 tbsp	240	0	0	28	0
Fresh Mint Leaves 2 tbsp — chopped	2	0	0	0	1
Lemon 1 — juiced and zested	12	0	4	0	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Zucchini

1
Draw out moisture
Place sliced zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt to draw out moisture.
2
Pat Dry
Let sit for 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
3
Sauté Zucchini
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté zucchini until golden brown.
Tip: Ensure the zucchini is thoroughly dried before sautéing to avoid excess moisture.

Preparing the Tomato Sauce

1
Heat oil and garlic
In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add garlic until fragrant.
2
Add tomatoes and spices
Stir in diced tomatoes, cumin, paprika, and coriander.
3
Simmer sauce
Cook until tomatoes break down into a thick sauce.
Tip: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water.

How to Make Exotic Moroccan Zaalouk of Zucchini with Mint and Lemon

Total time: 1 h 33 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Combine Zucchini and Sauce
Add sautéed zucchini to the tomato sauce and stir well to combine.
2
Simmer Mixture
Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
3
Add Fresh Ingredients
Stir in fresh mint, lemon juice, and zest just before serving.