Zoonie-Nini-Zucchini

I have no idea why Emilia has decided that she loves zucchini, but she has. And I can promise you that I'll be the last person to ever complain about it. However, even if I was the last person, my complaining would be done with some reluctance. The funny thing though is that I don't particularly love zucchini myself. I think my favorite way to eat it is in minestrone, and that hardly counts.

At any rate, I love vegetables and always have. My Grandma Jo used to tell me that I was going to turn into a rabbit when I was little because I would eat so many of them. But, alas, it never happened. 'Spose that's for the best, really.

Trying to cook something that your 18-month-old will willingly eat can sometimes be a challenge. That is why Emilia typically gets zucchini a couple of nights a week (while it is in season). We are branching out like crazy these days though, since she has decided that (for now) she likes broccoli, edamame, and roasted carrots. Her 'nini', or more recently 'zoonie', never fails though. And another added bonus is that we happen to like it too.

I don't follow any particular recipe when I cook this dish. Instead, I think I have ended up with an amalgamation of Michelle Scicolone's and Ina Garten's recipes.

1 tablespoon olive oil (or so)

½ cup onion (give or take), in a small dice

2-3(-ish) zucchini

salt and pepper, to taste

freshly grated parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and beginning to brown.

Cut zucchini in ½ length-wise and cut into bite size pieces — about ½ an inch thick. Add to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely sautéed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grate lots of fresh parmesan over the top, give it a good stir, and serve.

**Quick note — You may want to do this in batches. When the pan gets over-crowded with zucchini it tends to steam rather than sauté. And once that happens, you have the reason it took me awhile to warm to the veg. However, if I'm in a rush and can't be bothered, then it all goes in the pan at the same time, and we must suffer through the consequences — mushy, slimy frogskins. Even then Emilia still loves it and shouts, 'Ah Bee! Zoonie!', which translates as, 'Oh Boy! Zucchini!'