Welcome to a culinary journey where convenience meets exquisite flavor! This **Crustless Zucchini Quiche with Prosciutto** isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to simple, delicious cooking that effortlessly elevates any meal. Say goodbye to the fuss of crusts, and hello to a vibrant medley of fresh zucchini, savory prosciutto, and rich, gooey cheese, all baked to perfection. It’s so utterly delicious and versatile, you’ll find yourself reaching for it from breakfast to dinner and every meal in between.
In our household, zucchini used to be a tough sell, especially for the resident picky eater. But something magical happened with this quiche. The moment the irresistible aroma of garlic, thyme, and baking eggs wafted from the oven, skepticism turned into curiosity, and then into pure delight. After decades, this Zucchini Quiche became the surprise favorite, proving that even the most discerning palates can be won over by exceptional flavor! It was a true victory: **Ham and Zucchini Quiche** for the win!
Why This Crustless Zucchini Quiche Is a Must-Try
Beyond its incredible taste, this crustless quiche offers a host of compelling reasons to make it a staple in your kitchen:
- Lower in Carbs and Healthier: By ditching the traditional pastry crust, this quiche automatically becomes a lighter, lower-carb option. Even with a touch of flour added to the filling for stabilization, it’s significantly healthier than many other quiche recipes, making it a smart choice for those mindful of their diet without sacrificing flavor.
- A Symphony of Flavors: This isn’t just any quiche; it’s a meticulously crafted blend of robust ingredients. The sweet pungency of sautéed onion, the aromatic kick of fresh garlic, the salty richness of prosciutto (or ham), the earthy notes of fresh thyme, and the creamy indulgence of melted cheese create a flavor profile that is truly unforgettable. Every bite is a harmonious experience.
- Effortlessly Delicious: You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to achieve such a gourmet-tasting dish. The absence of a crust means less prep time and fewer steps, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend brunches. It’s the kind of recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Incredible Versatility: This quiche transcends mealtime boundaries. Serve it warm for a hearty breakfast or brunch, enjoy a chilled slice for a refreshing lunch, or pair it with a crisp salad for a light yet satisfying dinner. Its adaptability makes it a perfect addition to any menu.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare to be showered with compliments and recipe requests! This quiche has a knack for impressing, even winning over the pickiest of eaters. It’s darn tasty and memorable, ensuring it will become a cherished recipe in your repertoire.
Mastering Your Quiche: Essential Expert Tips
Achieving a perfectly creamy, flavorful quiche is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- For Quiches with Crusts, Blind-Bake First: While this specific recipe is crustless, if you ever venture into traditional quiche making, blind baking is non-negotiable. This process involves baking the pie crust empty before adding the filling. It ensures the bottom crust is fully cooked and crisp, preventing the dreaded soggy bottom. To blind bake, fit your crust into the dish, line it with nonstick foil or parchment paper, weigh it down with pie weights or dried beans, and bake according to your recipe. Baking your quiche on the lowest oven shelf can also help cook the bottom crust more thoroughly.
- PRO-Tip: Sauté Vegetables to Control Moisture: Zucchini and many other vegetables release a lot of water when cooked. To prevent your quiche from becoming watery, always sauté your vegetables—especially high-moisture ones like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach—before adding them to the egg mixture. This step allows excess moisture to evaporate, concentrating their flavors and ensuring a perfectly set quiche.
- Do Not Overbake Your Quiche: The key to a tender, custardy quiche lies in precise baking. Overbaking will cause the eggs to toughen, resulting in a rubbery texture. You’ll know your quiche is perfectly cooked when the edges are set, but the very center still has a slight jiggle when gently shaken. Don’t worry, the residual heat of the baking dish will continue to cook the quiche as it cools, ensuring a flawless creamy finish.
- Reserve Cheese for a Golden Top: For an irresistible presentation and an extra layer of flavor, always reserve a portion of your shredded cheese to sprinkle generously over the top of the quiche during the last few minutes of baking. This creates a beautiful, melted golden crust that enhances both visual appeal and taste.
- Be Mindful of Salt with Cured Meats: Prosciutto and ham are naturally salty. Exercise caution when adding additional salt to your quiche filling to avoid over-salting, which can make the dish unpalatable. Taste your ingredients before seasoning and adjust accordingly.
- Bake Low and Slow for Creaminess: A gentle, lower oven temperature (generally no higher than 350°F / 175°C) is crucial for achieving a soft, creamy quiche texture. High heat can cause the eggs to cook too quickly, leading to a firmer, less desirable consistency. Patience in baking yields the best results.
- PRO-Tip: The Golden Egg-to-Milk Ratio: If you enjoy experimenting with your own quiche creations, remember this fundamental rule: for every egg you use, add approximately ½ cup of milk. This ratio provides the perfect balance for a rich and creamy custard base.
- Got an Abundance of Zucchini? If your garden is overflowing with summer zucchini, don’t let it go to waste! Beyond this delightful quiche, try this Sliced Zucchini with Walnuts for an easy, delicious side dish that perfectly complements any meal.
Customizing Your Quiche: Flavorful Substitutions
One of the joys of quiche making is its flexibility. Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your preferences or what you have on hand:
- Cheese: Cheese is a non-negotiable component for flavor and texture! While Monterey Jack offers a fantastic melt and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to swap it out for your favorite. Excellent alternatives include Swiss, known for its nutty notes; sharp Cheddar for a bolder taste; creamy Mozzarella; or the rich, smoky nuances of Gouda. A blend of cheeses can also create a complex flavor profile.
- Ham: The recipe calls for prosciutto, a thinly sliced, dry-cured ham that adds a delicate saltiness and depth of flavor. However, feel free to use other forms of ham. Diced deli ham, crispy pancetta, or even crumbled cooked bacon are all delicious substitutes that will infuse your quiche with savory goodness.
- Milk: For the best creamy texture and richness, 2% or whole milk is highly recommended. Skim milk can be used in a pinch, but be aware that your quiche may lack some of the luscious richness that higher fat milk provides. For an even more decadent quiche, you can substitute a small portion of the milk with heavy cream, but avoid replacing all of it, as the filling could become too dense.
- Herbs: While fresh thyme offers an aromatic depth that is hard to beat, you can certainly experiment with other fresh or dried herbs. Consider fresh chives for a delicate oniony note, chopped parsley for freshness, or a touch of dried Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist.
- Other Vegetables: This recipe is fantastic with zucchini, but it’s also a great canvas for other vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach (ensure it’s thoroughly squeezed dry if frozen), or asparagus can all be excellent additions.
Elevate Your Meal: Delicious Serving Suggestions
A versatile quiche like this Zucchini Quiche with Prosciutto pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, making it suitable for any occasion. Here are some tasty menu additions to complete your meal:
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant medley of seasonal fruits dressed with a light honey-lime vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the savory quiche.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta: The sweetness of strawberries, the earthy notes of spinach, and the tangy feta create a light and elegant side.
- Blueberry Muffins: For a classic brunch pairing, warm, fluffy blueberry muffins add a touch of sweetness and comfort.
- Mixed Berry Muffins: A delicious alternative to blueberry, mixed berry muffins offer a delightful burst of fruity flavor.
- Whole Wheat Rolls: Soft, warm whole wheat dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up any creamy goodness from the quiche.
- Crisp Green Salad: A simple side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette is always a good choice to balance the richness of the quiche.
- Roasted Asparagus: Tender, perfectly roasted asparagus spears add a touch of sophistication and vibrant green to your plate.
- Potato Salad: For a heartier meal, a creamy potato salad can be a satisfying accompaniment.
Deep Dive into Ingredients for Perfect Quiche
Understanding each ingredient’s role is key to mastering this Zucchini Quiche:
- Pantry Staples: Olive oil serves as the base for sautéing, ensuring your vegetables are cooked to perfection. All-Purpose Flour acts as a stabilizer for the egg custard and helps absorb any lingering moisture from the vegetables, preventing a watery quiche. Fresh eggs form the creamy base, while onion and garlic provide essential aromatic depth.
- Zucchini: Opt for small, firm zucchini for the best texture and flavor. Leave the skin on for added nutrients and color; simply grate it using a box grater or your food processor. Before grating, remove any excessively large seeds if present. Remember to gently squeeze out any excess liquid after grating to prevent your quiche from becoming soggy.
- Ham/Prosciutto: The original recipe features prosciutto, which offers a delicate, salty flavor. However, any favorite ham variety will work beautifully. Diced deli ham, thick-cut ham steak, or even crispy crumbled bacon can be excellent substitutes, each adding its unique savory notes.
- Fresh Thyme: Fresh herbs truly elevate the flavor profile. Fresh thyme leaves infuse the quiche with an earthy, aromatic quality. If fresh thyme isn’t available, you can swap it out for 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Other fresh herbs like chives or a hint of rosemary can also be wonderful.
- Milk: Tested with 2% milk, which provides a lovely creamy texture without being overly rich. Whole milk would also work exceptionally well, adding a touch more richness. Heavy cream, while delicious, is generally too dense and rich to be the sole liquid addition to a quiche, as it can make the filling overly heavy. A combination of milk and a small amount of heavy cream can be used for added decadence.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and a tender texture to the quiche. It’s crucial to allow the melted butter to cool slightly before mixing it with the raw eggs. Adding hot butter to eggs can cause them to scramble prematurely, resulting in an undesirable texture.
- Cheese: Shredded cheese is a must for its creamy texture and tangy flavor. Any good melting cheese will work splendidly. Favorites include Swiss for its nutty taste, Monterey Jack for its mild creaminess, Gouda for a slightly smoky note, or Cheddar for a sharper profile. Remember to reserve some cheese to sprinkle over the top before baking for that perfect golden crust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zucchini Quiche
Flour plays a crucial role in quiche making. It acts as a stabilizer, helping the egg custard set properly and preventing it from becoming overly watery or breaking. Additionally, it aids in absorbing any excess liquid that vegetables might release during baking, ensuring a firm, creamy, and consistent texture.
A watery quiche is almost always due to excess moisture from the vegetables. Many vegetables, especially zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach, have high water content. To avoid this, it’s essential to remove as much moisture as possible before adding them to the egg mixture. For frozen chopped spinach, squeeze it very dry using a potato ricer or clean hands. For other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms, sauté them first until their juices evaporate, then allow them to cool before incorporating them into the filling.
While replacing a portion of the milk with heavy cream can add extra richness and a more luxurious mouthfeel, it’s generally not recommended to replace all the milk with heavy cream. If you use only heavy cream, the filling will likely be too dense, heavy, and potentially greasy. A good balance often involves using mostly milk and just a splash of heavy cream for added decadence.
The healthiness of a quiche largely depends on its ingredients. A crustless quiche, like this recipe, is inherently healthier than one with a buttery pastry crust, significantly reducing calories and carbohydrates. When you opt for lean meats like prosciutto (or ham in moderation), load it with plenty of fresh vegetables, and use cheese sparingly, quiche can be a remarkably healthy, low-carb, and protein-packed option for any meal.
Absolutely! Quiche is an excellent make-ahead dish. You can prepare the entire quiche, bake it, let it cool completely, and then store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Alternatively, you can prepare the filling mixture (without the eggs and milk) and store it separately in the fridge for a day, then combine with the egg mixture and bake fresh.
Yes, quiche freezes very well! Once baked, allow the quiche to cool completely. You can freeze it whole or in individual slices. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator (if whole), then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes for slices or 45-60 minutes for a whole quiche.
For a crustless quiche, a 9-inch pie plate, a tart pan (without the removable bottom for easier serving), or a 5-cup capacity ceramic baking dish works perfectly. A round casserole dish or even an 8×8-inch square baking pan can also be used. Ensure your dish is well-greased to prevent sticking.
Explore More Delicious Quiche & Breakfast Creations
If you loved this Zucchini Quiche with Prosciutto, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic recipes to inspire your next breakfast or brunch:
- Crustless Spinach Quiche: Another delightful crustless option, packed with healthy spinach and savory flavors.
- Spinach Mushroom Quiche: A classic combination that’s rich in umami and perfect for any meal.
- Sundried Tomato and Spinach Quiche: Enjoy the intense, sweet-tart flavor of sun-dried tomatoes paired with fresh spinach.
- Quiche Maraichere: A traditional French garden vegetable quiche that’s light, fresh, and bursting with seasonal goodness.
- More of the Best Breakfast Recipes: Discover an array of recipes to kickstart your day deliciously.
- More Favorite Brunch Recipes: Perfect for weekend gatherings, these recipes are sure to impress.
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Zucchini Quiche with Prosciutto Recipe
20 minutes
40 minutes
1 hour
8 servings
A truly delectable crustless quiche, generously filled with freshly grated zucchini, savory prosciutto, fragrant fresh thyme, and rich, melting Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect for any meal!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing vegetables)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (provides aromatic depth)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced (enhances savory flavor)
- 2 small zucchini, grated (fresh and tender, ensure excess moisture is removed)
- 4 ounces of Prosciutto, chopped (adds a delightful salty, savory note; can substitute with ham)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (for earthy, aromatic freshness)
- 5 large eggs (the base for the creamy custard)
- ½ cup milk (2% or whole milk recommended for richness)
- 3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (adds richness and tender texture)
- 1 ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided (melts beautifully, or use your favorite cheese)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (stabilizes the custard and absorbs moisture)
Instructions
- Generously grease a 5-cup capacity baking dish (such as a ceramic quiche/tart pan or pie plate) to prevent sticking.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking and a creamy texture.
- Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the grated zucchini and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing excess moisture to evaporate.
- Mix in the chopped prosciutto (or ham) and fresh thyme leaves, cooking for just another minute to combine flavors. Remove the pan from the burner and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Once cooled, add 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the ham and vegetable mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and the slightly cooled melted butter until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, being mindful of the saltiness from the prosciutto.
- Gently fold the cooled ham and vegetable mixture into the egg mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and mix thoroughly until no lumps remain. The flour helps to stabilize the quiche.
- Pour the entire quiche mixture into your prepared baking dish. Evenly top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden, and the very center has only a slight jiggle. Avoid overbaking to maintain a creamy texture.
- Allow the quiche to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to fully set and makes for easier serving.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with other varieties of ham and cheese to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
Remember that the residual heat from the baking dish will continue to cook the quiche slightly even after it’s removed from the oven, contributing to its perfect set.
This recipe is an adaptation of a delightful crustless quiche found on myfoodbook.com, modified for enhanced flavor and simplicity.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving (estimated):
Calories: 208Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 562mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 15g
Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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