Zucchini slice with a hidden layer of bacon

Name: Zucchini slice with a hidden layer of bacon
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8-10
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 4 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 350g rindless smoked bacon, diced, reserving 5 full slices; 5 zucchini (about 800g total), 4 grated, reserving 1 zucchini; 4 eggs; ¼ cup grated parmesan; 1 cup grated smoked cheddar; 1 cup plain flour, sifted; ½ tsp baking powder; herbs to scatter

Katrina Meynink

January 19, 2023

This updated zucchini slice is heavy on the bacon.Katrina Meynink

Time:1-2 hoursServes:8-10

The sneaky layer of bacon in the middle is an unexpected and now entirely necessary addition to the old zuccha slice from this point forward.

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
350g rindless smoked bacon, diced, reserving 5 full slices
5 zucchini (about 800g total), 4 grated, reserving 1 zucchini
4 eggs
¼ cup grated parmesan
1 cup grated smoked cheddar
1 cup plain flour, sifted
½ tsp baking powder
herbs to scatter

Method

Step 1
Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced (180C conventional).
Step 2
Grease and line a large loaf pan (28cm x 13cm x 7cm).
Step 3
Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the onion, garlic and diced bacon and cook, stirring to prevent catching, until the onion has completely softened and the bacon is cooked and beginning to crisp (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Do not discard any of the cooking oils in the pan.
Step 4
Once cool, add the bacon mixture to a bowl (keep the frypan aside for later) with the grated zucchini, eggs, remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil, parmesan and smoked cheddar and stir together. Add the flour and baking powder, stir to combine then season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Pour half of the mixture into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
Step 6
Trim the ends of the remaining zucchini, then slice it lengthways into even-sized slices, you should get 3-5 slices.
Step 7
Return the frypan to medium heat and add the zucchini slices and reserved bacon slices and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the zucchini slices have charred lightly on one side. Remove carefully and set aside.
Step 8
Gently add the sliced bacon on top of the mixture in the tin, overlapping the pieces slightly to completely cover the surface. Add the remaining mixture on top, then finish with the zucchini slices, charred side up. Season generously with sea salt flakes and pepper.
Step 9
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until cooked through and the top is golden and caramelised. Allow to cool slightly in the tin before lifting out and slicing. Scatter over the herbs and serve.