Redeem

Courgette

How you remember it

Boiled to translucent, watery collapse — the slices turn glassy, release their water into the pan, and arrive on the plate as hot, wet nothing.

It was never the vegetable. It was the method.

Best method: Char

Direct radiant or flame heat producing blackened, blistered exterior with smoky depth and tender interior. High heat, short duration.

Sensory outcome: charred

— grill: 6–8 min sliced lengthways, oiled

— cast-iron-pan: 6–8 min sliced lengthways, high heat

— air-fryer: 6–8 min @200°C sliced lengthways

Also works: Blister

High pan heat with oil producing blistered, concentrated exterior while preserving interior bite and brightness. High heat, short duration.

Sensory outcome: crunchy

— pan: 4–6 min sliced or batons, high heat, oiled

— wok: 3–5 min high heat, oiled

— air-fryer: 5–7 min @200°C batons

Also works: Raw-Thin

Mandolined or finely sliced raw preparation preserving full crunch, freshness, and cellular integrity. No heat. The vegetable as itself, revealed.

Sensory outcome: fresh

— mandoline: ribbon or shave, dress and serve immediately

— knife: ribbon or shave, dress and serve immediately

Texture profile

Charred: smoky-sweet, tender-firm; raw-thin: fresh, crisp, delicate

UK seasonality

Jun–Oct (UK field); import available year-round