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One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab

One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab

The French café staple known as cake salé (savory cake), engineered for impatient home cooks. Baking this quick batter in a sheet pan instead of a loaf tin gives us maximum crust-to-crumb ratio in half the time. It’s deeply savory, aggressively studded with summer squash, and sturdy enough to pack for a Tuesday lunch without falling apart.

Camille Roux
Camille Roux
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
6
easy
lunchsnackside dish
savory-bakingsheet-panquick-breadsummer-produce

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Timeline

55 minutes
0m15m30m45m55m
Prep Zucchini
10m
Whisk Wet Ingredients
Fold Dry Ingredients
Add Mix-Ins
5m
Bake Slab
25m
Cool and Slice
10m

Ingredients

  • 1 lb zucchini(Coarsely grated)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt(Diamond Crystal preferred)
  • 3 large eggs(Room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup whole-milk yogurt(Plain, full fat is non-negotiable)
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil(Plus extra for greasing the pan)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper(Freshly ground)
  • 6 oz feta cheese(Crumbled into large chunks)
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill(Chopped)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a quarter-sheet pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bake out later. Place the grated 1 lb zucchini in a colander in the sink and toss aggressively with 1 tsp kosher salt. Let it sit to draw out the water.

    10 min

    Tip: Salt breaks down the cell walls of the zucchini fast. Don't skip the resting time, or your final crumb will be wet and heavy.

  2. 2

    While the zucchini weeps, grab your largest mixing bowl. Whisk together the 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup whole-milk yogurt, and 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is entirely smooth and emulsified.

    3 min

    Tip: The lactic acid in the yogurt tenderizes the flour, acting as a shortcut to a beautifully lacy interior.

  3. 3

    Scatter the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper across the surface of the wet ingredients. Fold with a spatula just until the dry streaks disappear. Overmix, and your crumb will get tight like a bad alibi.

    2 min

    Tip: It should look lumpy and slightly unkempt. That is exactly what we want.

  4. 4

    Gather the salted zucchini into a clean kitchen towel. Twist and squeeze the water out like it owes you money. Add the dry, compacted zucchini to the batter along with the 6 oz feta cheese, 1/4 cup fresh dill, and 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds. Fold gently just to distribute.

    5 min

    Tip: Moisture is the enemy of a crisp edge. Wring out more liquid than you think is possible.

  5. 5

    Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, nudging it into the corners. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until deeply golden brown across the top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Look for a slight pull away from the edges of the pan.

    25 min

    Tip: Color equals flavor. If the top looks pale at 25 minutes, let it keep going. We are not suffering for pale baked goods.

  6. 6

    Remove from the oven. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab onto a wire cooling rack immediately so the bottom doesn't steam in the pan. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing into squares.

    10 min

    Tip: Slicing straight from the oven will tear the delicate crumb. Give the starches time to set.

Chef's Notes

Cami's shortcut note: The classic French cake salé is baked in a loaf pan and takes an hour, often drying out on the edges before the center sets. Moving it to a sheet pan is the ultimate cheat code. You cut the baking time in half and double the golden, crusty surface area. Serve a massive square alongside a sharp, mustardy green salad for a perfect café lunch. Don't skip wringing out the zucchini—if you leave the water in, the batter steams instead of bakes, and you lose that beautiful lacy edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab take to make?

One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab takes about 45 minutes total. That includes 20 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 servings.

What skill level is needed for One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab?

The main ingredients are: zucchini, kosher salt, large eggs, whole-milk yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, all-purpose flour, baking powder, black pepper, feta cheese, fresh dill, toasted sunflower seeds.

What type of meal is One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab?

One-Bowl Zucchini & Feta Savory Slab is categorized as: lunch, snack, side dish.