Italian Vegetables in Air Fryer – Quick and Flavorful Side Dish
A crispy and aromatic side dish, perfect to accompany any main course. Vegetables cook quickly in the air fryer, preserving their texture and authentic Italian flavor.
Steps
- 1
Clean the mushrooms, then wash the zucchini and bell pepper.
- 2
Cut the bell pepper, zucchini, and eggplant into small pieces about 1 cm (0.4 in).
- 3
Cut the mushrooms in half.
- 4
Cut the red onion into large pieces to prevent burning.
- 5
Place all cut vegetables in a bowl. Add olive oil and Italian herbs. Mix well to coat evenly.
- 6
Transfer the Italian vegetables to the air fryer basket. Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Shopping list
0.5 medium zucchini, 125g mushrooms, 0.5 medium eggplant, 1 sweet pointed pepper, 1 red onion, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Italian herbs
Recipe story
Originating in southern Italy, this combination of vegetables fried in olive oil was prepared by peasants in stone ovens. In the 19th century, the recipe was adopted by Sicilian noble kitchens, becoming a symbol of summer. Today, the air fryer offers a lighter version while preserving the authentic flavor.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Zucchini
Although today we associate them with light summer cuisine, zucchini were first cultivated in ancient Mexico over 7,000 years ago. They were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in cuisines worldwide, from ancient China to classical Greece. In ancient Egypt, they were considered food for royalty, and the Romans called them 'food of the gods'.
Eggplant
Although the name 'eggplant' suggests a connection to eggs, this purple vegetable actually originates from India, where it was cultivated over 4,000 years ago. Arabs introduced eggplants to Europe during the Middle Ages.
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