Shrimp & Zucchini Ribbons

I love appetizers. I love shrimp. I love veggies & most of all I love to grill/barbeque. So when I saw this recipe on the Food Network, I just had to give it a try. It looked so easy, delicious & beautifully presented. And it was all that & more once I finished & got to enjoy this simple appetizer recipe with a glass of chilled Chardonnay. =)

To make this pretty Shrimp & Zucchini Ribbons you will need:

Shrimp, Zucchini, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Dried Oregano Leaves, Wooden Skewers, Salt & Pepper & a pinch of Chili Flakes (optional)

Start by peeling the shrimp, removing the tails & placing in a bowl.

Next cut off the ends of the zucchini…

And slice into very thin slices length-wise. This is a critical step. Because if the slices are too thick, they will break when you try to thread it onto a skewer. And if they are too thin they will melt/burn when grilling. So do your best to get it about 1/8″ thickness.

Now for the marinade. In a small mixing bowl combine the EVOO, freshly squeezed lemon juice, oregano, salt & pepper.

The recipe doesn’t call for it, but while I was mixing the marinade I felt like it was missing something. I wanted to add a bit of a punch to the flavors, so I added a pinch of chili flakes, to give it an extra kick. This is totally optional.

Mix well and set aside…

Now start by threading the skewer with a slice of the zucchini, from the bottom, then skewer the shrimp, then pierce through the middle of the zucchini, then add the next shrimp and finish off by enveloping the shrimp with the end of the zucchini. I put two sets of ribbons on one skewer. If the instructions are too confusing, just look at the photo below. Should be self-explanatory. =)

Once you’re finished, place the skewers onto a platter & pour the marinade right over, making sure to coat all surfaces. Cover with saran wrap & refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes…

Once you let them marinade for a good 15 minutes, you are ready to grill! Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side on a medium-high heat.

Mmm… the smoky flavor of the bbq… the delicious smells are so enticing! I could hardly wait to get them off the grill and dig in!

After about 6-8 minutes of grilling, it’s ready to be served! I prefer to serve it hot, but you can serve it as a cold appetizer as well.

You may also serve this as a main dish, with some steamed rice, or baked potatoes on the side. =)

Shrimp & Zucchini Ribbons
Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 min, 6-8 min grill

Ingredients:

32 Individual Shrimp
3 whole Green Zucchini
1 whole lemon
1 tbsp dried Oregano leaves
3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Serve it at your next gathering, and you are sure to get a “wow, that’s so pretty” type of response. And your guests will be even more impressed once they taste it! It’s zesty & delicious!

Bon Appétit!