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    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Published: Oct 15, 2020 · Modified: Jun 28, 2022 · This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

    Lemony Winter Risotto

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    lemony winter risotto pin
    lemony winter risotto pin
    VNFGF

    Looking for winter risotto ideas? This lemony winter risotto recipe is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about comfort food. It is perfect for chilly nights. The addition of zucchini and squash makes it a healthy and hearty meal.

    lemony winter risotto at 45 degrees
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Many people fear it due to its misperceived complexity; the reason we chose to kick-start this blog demystifying while you can pamper yourself any given night.

    This lemony, creamy risotto, made with zucchini, is one of our favorite Italian recipes. It is as close to our heart to our Lemony Spaghetti and Lemon Asparagus Pasta, dishes that always leave our guests asking for more, as they don't expect lemons to perform so well in savory dishes.

    We love the unexpected and always welcomed tanginess that lemon brings to dishes like Thai Yellow curries, where the spice needs some counteraction and citrus performs splendidly.

    spoon showing a bite of the lemony winter risotto

    Check our dairy-free risottos including Sun-dried Tomatoes Risotto recipe, traditional risotto alla Milanese, or our Mushrooms risotto, for another great and easy-to-make version of this Italian favorite!

    The good thing was that this time provided the perfect setting for cooking and a lot!

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍚 Is white rice good or bad for you?
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 🌡️ Food safety
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    This winter squash risotto is very easy to make and you can vary the ingredients depending on the herbs you have available.

    • Carnaroli rice or Arborio rice
    • Zucchini
    • Leeks
    • Fresh garlic
    • White wine dry
    • Nutritional yeast
    • Vegan butter (or extra virgin olive oil)
    • Fresh thyme (or fresh sage)
    • Vegetable stock
    • Lemon juice and zest

    Optional:

    • Add Homemade Vegan Parmesan cheese (main in less than 5 minutes).
    • Toasted slivered almonds

    🔪 Instructions

    To make this winter squash risotto carefully but easily follow these steps and you will have a meal in less than 30 minutes. Risotto is not time-consuming like most people think!

    Make the vegetable stock

    Start by cutting the rough piece of your veggies and throwing them into a medium-high heat medium saucepan with boiling water; make sure you have some onion in. If you are in a rush, you can always use a preservative-free vegetables stock cube.

    Cut your veggies

    Slice the leeks and cut the zucchinis in different sizes. We love to have different textures in our risottos, so I usually sliced on zucchini, and make halves and quarters with the second one.

    sliced leek
    slice zucchini in quarters, halves and slices

    Grill half the zucchinis

    In a skillet, the same you will use to make the risotto, add some vegan butter or olive oil, and grill one zucchini, the sliced one, on medium heat; stirring occasionally.

    We will leave the quarters and halved to be cooked directly in the risotto.

    Top tip: this step is key if you which to have some zucchinis look grilled and rich in color, vs the one that will look steamed or boiled.

    grilling zucchini slices
    grill zucchini slices

    Sauté

    Heat the oil on medium heat until you can see smoke coming out, then throw garlic and the chopped leeks until they become translucent.

    Add rice, stirring constantly, until it also becomes translucent; it should take about 2 minutes.

    Sautéing leeks
    add carnarolli rice on top of the grilled sliced leeks

    Add wine

    And this is where the magic begins: pour the wine and enjoy the smell of the rice grains walls being broken by the alcohol and opening themselves up to absorb slowly and gracefully every single drop of the veggies’ stock that you prepared before.

    Then stir and reduce heat.

    add dry white wine
    adding vegetable stock

    Stir zucchini and lemon

    Stir in the raw chopped zucchini, followed by the lemon juice, and nutritional yeast.

    add lemon juice
    add nutritional yeast, stir and the risotto will become very creamy

    Cook

    Start adding the stock, little by little, cook stirring, adding more when the rice has absorbed the liquid.

    Add thyme sprigs and keep adding vegetable broth as needed.

    add nutritional yeast, stir and the risotto will become very creamy
    add more stock and keep stirring

    When the rice is cooked “al dente,” add the grilled zucchini, fresh lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and salt.

    add lemon zest
    stir the lemony winter risotto

    Serve

    To serve, add one tablespoon of vegan butter and optionally some slightly toasted slivered almonds to make it even more delicious.

    Remember to carefully remove the thyme sprigs.

    close-up of lemony winter risotto
    optionally add toasted slivered almonds

    Enjoy!

    two plated winter risotto in a wooden table with 2 glasses of white wine

    🍚 Is white rice good or bad for you?

    Though white rice is more processed, it’s not necessarily bad.

    Most white rice is enriched with vitamins like folate to improve its nutritional value. Additionally, its low fiber content may help with digestive issues.

    Brown rice is a healthier option for most people, but it’s OK to enjoy white rice from time to time. 

    So a risotto once a week is OK. However, if you have diabetes or are overweight, you should limit your consumption.

    So… risotto. Very easy, there are only a couple of things that you have to learn about making a risotto, which will make you master it: close attention to the first steps and presence.

    Feeling like having comfort food? Check these additional recipes:

    • Saffron Risotto (Risotto alla Milanese)
    • Vegan Mushroom Risotto
    • Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto
    • Thai Fresh Vegan Red Curry
    • Quick Crispy Falafels

    If you love zucchini dishes, give this Lebanese-style stuffed zucchini a try; you will love them. We also use them to make vegan ceviche and yellow Thai curry, they are perfect because they can absorb tons of flavor.

    ⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

    📋 Recipe

    lemony winter risotto featured

    Lemony Winter Risotto (Zucchini Risotto)

    Gus
    Not only it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t like it but is one of the most versatile dishes you can think of.
    5 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Comfort Food, Italian-Inspired
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 314 kcal

    Equipment

    Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Nonstick 2-Piece 9-Inch and 11-Inch Skillet Set - Black And Silver.
    (affiliate link)
    Skillet (affiliate link)
    15 Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Block by Cuisinart, Cutlery Set, Triple Rivet Collection.
    (affiliate link)
    Knife (affiliate link)
    Cuisinart Garlic Press.
    (affiliate link)
    Garlic press (affiliate link)

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 zucchini medium, one sliced and the other chopped in quarters and halves
    • 1 lemon medium juice (juice of half the lemon) + whole lemon zest
    • 1 cup finely sliced leeks about 8 oz, or one small onion
    • 1 cup carnaroli rice or Arborio rice, 7 oz or 200 grams
    • 5 vegetable broth
    • 5 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 3 tablespoons vegan butter or olive oil. Divided store-bough or homemade vegan recipe.
    • 3 sprigs thyme fresh, or sage, dill, rosemary

    Optional:

    • ⅓ cup white wine dry, optional
    • 1 cup homemade vegan parmesan cheese for the cheese cracker (ignore if vegan)
    • ¼ cup almonds slivered, roasted
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Directions
     

    • Make the stock. Start by cutting the rough piece of your veggies and throw them into a pot of boiling water; make sure you have some onion in. If you are in a rush, you can always use a preservative-free vegetables’ stock cube.
      1 cup finely sliced leeks, 2 zucchini
    • Chop yoiur veggies. Slice the leeks, chop one zucchni into slices, and the othe into quarters and halves.
    • Grill one zucchini. Grill one the zuccinis, the sliced one, using 1 tablespoon of teh vegan butter.
    • Sauté. Heat the 1 tablespoon of vegan butter on medium heat then add the sliced leeks and minced garlic, toss until they become transluscent.
      1 cup finely sliced leeks, 3 tablespoons vegan butter
    • Stir in the rice. Add the rice and stir until it also becomes translucent; it should take about 2 minutes. Pour the white wine (or ⅓ cup vegetable broth) and as soon as it dried out, start adding the vegetable broth.
      1 cup carnaroli rice, ⅓ cup white wine
    • Add vegetable stock. Start adding the stock, little by little, adding more when the rice has absorbed the liquid. When the rice is “al dente,” add the raw zucchini, nutritional yeast, fresh thyme, and half of one lemon's juice.
      5 tablespoons nutritional yeast, 2 zucchini, 3 sprigs thyme, 1 lemon
    • Adjust. Add the remaining tablespoon of vegan butter, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove the thyme sprigs.
    • Garnish. Add vegan parmesan and optionally lighly toasted slivered almonds.
      1 cup homemade vegan parmesan cheese, ¼ cup almonds

    Notes

    NO

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 314kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 86mgPotassium: 566mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1012IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!
    Nutrition Facts
    Lemony Winter Risotto (Zucchini Risotto)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    314
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Sodium
     
    86
    mg
    4
    %
    Potassium
     
    566
    mg
    16
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    52
    g
    17
    %
    Fiber
     
    6
    g
    25
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    10
    g
    20
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1012
    IU
    20
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    36
    mg
    44
    %
    Calcium
     
    40
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
     
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    🌡️ Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

    Want to know more about Rice? Check this link

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Taly says

      July 08, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      qué pinta que tiene este plato! me tentaron a probar hacer esta receta!!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        July 08, 2021 at 4:36 pm

        Especial para este invierno Argentino!

        Reply
      • Gus says

        August 01, 2021 at 10:48 am

        nosotros somos fanáticos de los risottos. Y este es un favorito... super fresco!

        Reply
    2. veenaazmanov says

      November 17, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely cant skip not trying this recipe. My family to surely love this Risotto.

      Reply
    3. Toni says

      November 17, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good! Every one at my house loved it!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        November 18, 2021 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks so much for your review Toni, I'm so glad to hear you and the whole family enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Jess says

      November 17, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      Oooohhhh I love that I can enjoy my favorite lemon flavor in a savory way and not just the typical sweet way I usually use lemon for.

      Reply
    5. Dannii says

      November 17, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Risotto is total comfort food and this lemon version looks so light and fresh.

      Reply
    6. Vicky says

      November 17, 2021 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      What a perfect dish for a chilly night! This risotto just warms you up as it fills your belly. The lemon flavor really takes this over the top!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        November 17, 2021 at 9:16 pm

        Thank you for taking the time to write this review, Vicky. I'm glad you enjoyed our risotto! We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

        Reply
    7. Kechi says

      February 05, 2022 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      This risotto sounds so comforting and perfect for the cold season! Will love to give it a try; we enjoy risotto here! Am saving to make later!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 05, 2022 at 1:57 pm

        thank you, Kechi! Please let us know how it goes! I am sure you will love it!

        Reply
    8. Katie says

      February 05, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      I can't get enough of this recipe! Definitely a new staple!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 06, 2022 at 8:04 am

        That's cool, Katie! It is also a staple at home!

        Reply
    9. Jessica says

      February 05, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love how filling and satisfying this healthy dish is!

      Reply
    10. Saif says

      February 05, 2022 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      When it comes to combination of lemon and risotto, that's perfection. Definitely going to make one.

      Reply
    11. Michelle says

      February 05, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely deliciouuus! I wish I had more meals in a day so I could cook through ALL of your recipes!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 09, 2022 at 9:07 pm

        Oh! Thank you, Michelle! That's a beautiful thing to say! You made me smile!

        Reply
    12. Beth says

      February 05, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious way to serve risotto. Will definitely make this again!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 24, 2022 at 8:11 am

        Thanks you Beth!

        Reply
    13. Tara says

      February 05, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fantastic seasonal risotto! So so comforting and I love all those flavors. Yum!

      Reply
    14. Shilpa says

      February 05, 2022 at 9:16 pm

      5 stars
      This lemon risotto was so good and we loved it.

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 24, 2022 at 8:10 am

        I am glad Shilpa, thanks for your review!

        Reply
    15. Ana says

      February 06, 2022 at 5:29 am

      5 stars
      Wow! Another perfect risotto recipe. I loved the zucchini and wonderful lemon flavors. This is so quick to make and a delicious dinner.

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 06, 2022 at 8:03 am

        Thank you, Ana! It makes me happy that you are enjoying our risottos! We love risotto!

        Reply
    16. nancy says

      February 06, 2022 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      this wintery risotto is cozy but bright! Love the lemony flavour.

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 07, 2022 at 1:26 pm

        Very nice, I am glad you liked it Nancy!

        Reply
    17. Lucas Guizo says

      February 06, 2022 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      The freshness and textures of this Risotto are incredible! Excellent recipe!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        February 06, 2022 at 10:01 pm

        Thank you, Lucas! I am happy that you enjoyed all those textures as much as we do!

        Reply

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