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Croque-Cake Courgette Jambon Fromage

A simple, comforting, and incredibly delicious zucchini, ham, and cheese cake recipe. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impromptu picnic.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingrédients principaux
  • 2 courgettes moyennes, râpées For a soft texture and a subtle touch of vegetable. I like to grate them finely to avoid pieces that are too big.
  • 150 g jambon blanc, coupé en dés Classic ham is perfect. You can also use chicken ham for a lighter version.
  • 150 g fromage râpé (emmental ou gruyère) Emmental provides a more pronounced taste, Gruyère a softer note. It's up to you to choose according to your preferences!
  • 3 œufs To bind the preparation and give the cake softness.
  • 100 g farine For the structure of the cake. I advise you to use classic wheat flour.
  • 1 sachet levure chimique Essential for a nice rise of the cake.
  • 2 c. à soupe crème fraîche For more creaminess and deliciousness.
  • Sel et poivre Season to taste. Feel free to add a little grated nutmeg for a more pronounced flavor.
  • 1 c. à soupe huile d'olive To oil the mold and prevent the cake from sticking.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cake pan Can be substituted with a square or rectangular pan
  • Knife For checking doneness

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (thermostat 6). This is a crucial step for successful cooking!
  2. In a large bowl, mix the grated zucchini, diced ham, and grated cheese.
  3. Add the eggs, flour, baking powder, and crème fraîche. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous paste. I advise you to mix well to avoid lumps.
  4. Season with salt and pepper (and nutmeg if you wish).
  5. Pour the batter into an oiled cake pan (with olive oil). If you don't have a cake pan, you can use a square or rectangular pan.
  6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the croque-cake is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out dry.
  7. Let the croque-cake cool in the pan before unmolding. This is important to prevent it from breaking.

Notes

Feel free to customize your recipe! You can add diced peppers, olives, or even bacon for more flavor. For a vegetarian version, replace the ham with sliced mushrooms. As for the cheese, you can try fresh goat cheese for a more original variant. Well wring out the grated zucchini before adding them to the batter: This will prevent a too moist cake. Do not open the oven during cooking: This could cause the cake to fall. Check the cooking with a knife blade: This is the best way to make sure the cake is cooked through. Store your zucchini, ham, and cheese croque-cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze it: it keeps this way for 2 months. To enjoy it, let it thaw slowly at room temperature.