Italian Grilled Pork & Zucchini

Juicy Italian herb-grilled pork chops and smoky summer zucchini are brightened with a quick lemon-parsley sauce for an easy August dinner.

Ingredients

  • Boneless Pork Loin Chop
    12 ounces $6.21
  • Zucchini Squash
    12 ounces $2.29
  • Organic Lemons
    1 lemon $1.29
  • Italian Parsley Bunch
    1/4 cup chopped leaves $1.49
  • Garlic
    1 clove
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
    3 tablespoons
  • Honey
    1 teaspoon
  • Dried oregano
    1 teaspoon
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F, for 10 minutes; clean the grates well.
  2. Finely chop 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves and mince 1 garlic clove. Zest and juice 1 lemon, then combine them with the 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
  3. Pat 12 ounces boneless pork loin chops dry. Rub them with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; let stand for 10 minutes while the grill heats.
  4. Cut 12 ounces zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick planks. Coat them with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
  5. Grill 12 ounces seasoned pork loin chops for 4 to 5 minutes per side, closing the lid between turns, until browned and the thickest part reaches 145°F.
  6. During the final 7 minutes of cooking, grill 12 ounces seasoned zucchini for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until marked and crisp-tender. Transfer the grilled zucchini to a platter.
  7. Rest 12 ounces grilled pork loin chops for 5 minutes, then slice across the grain. Plate the 12 ounces sliced pork with the 12 ounces grilled zucchini and spoon the prepared lemon-parsley sauce over both.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: $8–$11

Health notes: About 500 calories per serving, with roughly 40 grams of protein, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 32 grams of fat.

Drink pairing: A chilled Pinot Grigio complements the lemony herbs and lightly smoky pork.