Smashed Zucchini With Chickpeas and Peanuts
Published August 2, 2022
- Total Time
- 15 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
1 ½ to 2 pounds zucchini (about 3 to 4 medium)
1 jalapeño, halved lengthwise, stemmed and sliced into ⅛-inch-thick half-moons
2 limes, 1 zested and juiced, the other cut into wedges for serving
Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
¼ cup roasted peanuts (salted or unsalted)
1 ½ teaspoons ground sumac, coriander or a coriander-based spice blend like baharat or berbere
Preparation
- Step 1
Trim the zucchini ends and slice lengthwise into quarters. Position cut sides down, then smash with the side of your knife until craggy and split. Rip into ½- to 1-inch pieces. Transfer to a colander set in the sink, then toss with the sliced jalapeño, lime juice and 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Let drain while you cook the chickpeas.
- Step 2
Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and peanuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas are lightly browned and crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the lime zest, sumac and a sprinkle of salt. Stir until fragrant, then taste and add more salt as needed.
- Step 3
Shake the zucchini to get rid of any excess liquid, then transfer to a platter or plates. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then top with the chickpeas. Get a spoonful of everything and taste. Add salt and a squeeze of lime until flavors are bright and zingy. Serve warm or at room temperature (although the chickpeas will become less crispy as they sit with the wet ingredients).
Private Notes
Comments
I haven't tried the recipe, but I can confirm that anyone who has gardened in the Pacific Northwest has felt the urge to smash some zucchini.
Cut zucchini into quarters and put Into a ziploc back to smash bc they kept slipping off my cutting board. Then added jalapeño lime and salt to that bag and let marinate for 10min before draining. Super easy!
I subbed unsalted raw pumpkin seeds for the peanuts -- they hopped around the pan as they toasted, which made it feel like a party in the pan -- and added a handful of flat leaf parsley, cilantro and mint before serving. Sliced avocado and jammy not-really-hard boiled egg along side. Delish.
Thank you to NYT cooking and those who offer notes and suggestions. This recipe was fast and very good. I served it as a side with Yossy Arefi's Salmon and lime rice, putting the zucchini and chickpeas on top of the rice. Thanks to suggestions below, I added chopped walnuts and roasted pumpkin seeds to the peanuts. I wasn't sure about the lime soaked zucchini but we have so much zucchini, I have to serve it differently from night to night. It was the perfect addition to the chickpeas! Delish!!
I absolutely loved this and can make a meal of it! So way to make and just great overall flavor.
this recipe is definitely greater than the sum of its parts! it's actually shocking how good this for something so simple.

