Marrow, often overlooked in the vegetable aisle, is a versatile and delicious ingredient that deserves a spot in your vegetarian recipe rotation. This summer squash variant is not only mild and tender but also incredibly adaptable, making it perfect for a variety of dishes.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests with a stuffed marrow centerpiece or want a simple, comforting stew, these vegetarian marrow recipes will inspire your next meal.
In this post, we’ll explore three of the best vegetarian marrow recipes, each showcasing the vegetable’s unique texture and flavor. From Mediterranean-inspired stuffing to hearty bakes and fresh stir-fries, these recipes are packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavor.
Plus, if you love experimenting with seasonal veggies, these dishes are perfect for highlighting marrow at its peak.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Marrow is a fantastic vegetable to cook with because of its soft flesh and mild taste, which easily absorbs the flavors of herbs, spices, and other ingredients. These recipes are designed to bring out the best in marrow without overwhelming its subtle sweetness.
They’re healthy, vegetarian-friendly, and wonderfully comforting.
Each recipe is simple enough for weeknight dinners but elegant enough to serve at a special occasion. Plus, marrow is low in calories and rich in vitamins like A and C, making these dishes nutritious as well as tasty.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, these recipes will become staples in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Stuffed Mediterranean Marrow
- 2 medium marrows, halved and hollowed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped olives (black or green)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Marrow and Potato Gratin
- 2 large marrows, thinly sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup grated Gruyère or cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme sprigs
Spicy Marrow Stir-Fry
- 1 large marrow, cut into thin strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Fresh coriander for garnish
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Equipment
- Baking tray or casserole dish
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Frying pan or wok
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven (preheated to 375°F / 190°C for gratin and stuffed marrow)
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions
Stuffed Mediterranean Marrow
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the marrow: Slice the marrows lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and soft flesh to create boats. Set aside the flesh for the stuffing.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant.
- Add the reserved marrow flesh, tomatoes, and olives: Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in cooked quinoa, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and fold in crumbled feta cheese.
- Fill the marrow boats with the quinoa mixture and place them on a baking tray.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the marrow is tender and the stuffing is slightly golden.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Marrow and Potato Gratin
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Butter a casserole dish and rub the minced garlic around the inside for flavor.
- Layer the marrow and potato slices alternately in the dish, seasoning each layer with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Pour the milk over the layered vegetables until just covered.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the vegetables are tender.
- Let cool slightly before serving to allow the gratin to set.
Spicy Marrow Stir-Fry
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat.
- Add garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Throw in the sliced bell pepper and carrot. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened but crisp.
- Add the marrow strips and continue to stir-fry for another 4-5 minutes until tender.
- Season with soy sauce and chili flakes, tossing everything together well.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Tips & Variations
Tip: When preparing marrow for stuffing, save the scooped flesh to mix into your stuffing or use it in soups for extra flavor and no waste.
Variation: For a vegan version of the stuffed marrow, omit the feta cheese and add toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Tip: Thinly slicing the marrow and potatoes for the gratin ensures they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully.
Variation: Add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to the gratin layers for additional umami richness.
Tip: Adjust the chili flakes in the stir-fry to your spice tolerance. For a milder dish, omit or reduce the chili flakes and add a splash of lime juice for brightness.
Nutrition Facts
- 2 large marrows, thinly sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup grated Gruyère or cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme sprigs
Spicy Marrow Stir-Fry
- 1 large marrow, cut into thin strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Fresh coriander for garnish
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Equipment
- Baking tray or casserole dish
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Frying pan or wok
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven (preheated to 375°F / 190°C for gratin and stuffed marrow)
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions
Stuffed Mediterranean Marrow
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the marrow: Slice the marrows lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and soft flesh to create boats. Set aside the flesh for the stuffing.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant.
- Add the reserved marrow flesh, tomatoes, and olives: Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in cooked quinoa, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and fold in crumbled feta cheese.
- Fill the marrow boats with the quinoa mixture and place them on a baking tray.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the marrow is tender and the stuffing is slightly golden.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Marrow and Potato Gratin
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Butter a casserole dish and rub the minced garlic around the inside for flavor.
- Layer the marrow and potato slices alternately in the dish, seasoning each layer with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Pour the milk over the layered vegetables until just covered.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the vegetables are tender.
- Let cool slightly before serving to allow the gratin to set.
Spicy Marrow Stir-Fry
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat.
- Add garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Throw in the sliced bell pepper and carrot. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened but crisp.
- Add the marrow strips and continue to stir-fry for another 4-5 minutes until tender.
- Season with soy sauce and chili flakes, tossing everything together well.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Tips & Variations
Tip: When preparing marrow for stuffing, save the scooped flesh to mix into your stuffing or use it in soups for extra flavor and no waste.
Variation: For a vegan version of the stuffed marrow, omit the feta cheese and add toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Tip: Thinly slicing the marrow and potatoes for the gratin ensures they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully.
Variation: Add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to the gratin layers for additional umami richness.
Tip: Adjust the chili flakes in the stir-fry to your spice tolerance. For a milder dish, omit or reduce the chili flakes and add a splash of lime juice for brightness.
Nutrition Facts
Tip: When preparing marrow for stuffing, save the scooped flesh to mix into your stuffing or use it in soups for extra flavor and no waste.
Variation: For a vegan version of the stuffed marrow, omit the feta cheese and add toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Tip: Thinly slicing the marrow and potatoes for the gratin ensures they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully.
Variation: Add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to the gratin layers for additional umami richness.
Tip: Adjust the chili flakes in the stir-fry to your spice tolerance. For a milder dish, omit or reduce the chili flakes and add a splash of lime juice for brightness.
Recipe | Calories (per serving) | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat | Fiber |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stuffed Mediterranean Marrow | 280 | 10g | 35g | 8g | 6g |
Marrow and Potato Gratin | 320 | 12g | 40g | 12g | 5g |
Spicy Marrow Stir-Fry | 180 | 5g | 20g | 7g | 4g |
Serving Suggestions
These vegetarian marrow dishes pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. For the stuffed Mediterranean marrow, serve alongside a crisp green salad or warm pita bread to scoop up every last bite.
A glass of chilled white wine or a light herbal iced tea complements the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.
The marrow and potato gratin is a perfect comfort food that pairs well with steamed green beans or a roasted vegetable medley. It also makes an excellent side for vegetarian protein options, such as lentil loaf or mushroom steaks.
For the spicy marrow stir-fry, serve with fragrant jasmine rice or soba noodles for a quick and satisfying meal. Add a side of pickled vegetables or a cool cucumber salad to balance the heat.
Looking for more delicious recipes? Check out our Classico Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Recipe to complement your marrow dishes, or finish your meal with a sweet treat like the Cinnamon Pecan Ice Cream Recipe.
For a savory snack or side, the Cheese Penny Recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make.
Conclusion
Vegetarian marrow recipes are an excellent way to enjoy a nutritious, low-calorie ingredient that’s versatile and flavorful. Whether baked, stuffed, or stir-fried, marrow can be the star of your meal or a delightful side, adapting well to various cuisines and tastes.
These recipes provide a balanced combination of textures and flavors, from the hearty stuffed marrow to the creamy gratin and the zesty stir-fry. They demonstrate how this humble vegetable can elevate your vegetarian cooking with minimal effort.
So next time you spot marrow at the market, grab a few and try these recipes to enjoy a fresh, healthy, and satisfying meal. Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Best Vegetarian Marrow Recipes
Description: A collection of delicious vegetarian dishes featuring tender marrow squash. These recipes are easy to prepare and perfect for a healthy meal.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium marrow squash, halved and seeded
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush marrow halves with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Bake marrow for 15 minutes until slightly tender.
- In a pan, sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
- Add diced tomatoes, cooked quinoa, and basil; cook for 5 minutes.
- Fill marrow halves with the quinoa mixture.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for another 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 9 g | Carbs: 28 g
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