Bucatini Carbonara With Zucchini Recipes

BUCATINI ALLA CARBONARA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick together.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium high heat and add the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the guanciale and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. When the guanciale is almost completely crispy, carefully add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and scrape all of the tasty bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Whisk together the egg whites in a medium bowl until they start to get frothy. Add lots of pepper, the parsley, extra-virgin olive oil and Parmesan. Pour over the guanciale in the skillet, stirring vigorously to incorporate but not scrambling the eggs.
• When the bucatini is al dente, remove it from the water and toss with the sauce until well coated.
• Divide the pasta into 2 bowls, top each one with an egg yolk and serve immediately, letting your family or guest mix in the yolk at the table for that extra decadence!

BUCATINI CARBONARA

Steps:

• Cook the pancetta in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp and the fat has rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Add the onions to the pan with the drippings and cook until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and then reduce the heat to keep warm.
• Separate the eggs and place the yolks in a large bowl (reserve the whites to use in another recipe). Whisk together the egg yolks and half the Parmigiano-Reggiano and season with salt and pepper. Add the egg mixture to a large stainless bowl with the onions and mix well.
• Cook the pasta in salted, boiling water until al dente (according to pasta directions). When the pasta is just about finished, strain the pasta and transfer directly from the pot of water to the mixing bowl with the onions. Using tongs, mix well so the egg mixture coats the pasta evenly and cooks from the residual heat. Add about 3/4 cup of pasta water to fortify the sauce. Fold in the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano, crisped pancetta (reserve a little for garnish) and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve immediately, garnished with the reserved pancetta and parsley.

BUCATINI CARBONARA WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cook pancetta in medium skillet over medium heat until brown, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels; drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add cream, garlic, and crushed pepper to drippings in skillet; bring to boil. Set aside.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini; sauté until tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to large plate. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Pancetta, cream mixture, and zucchini can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Return pasta to pot.
• Meanwhile, place eggs in their shell in small bowl. Add enough hot water to cover. Let stand 5 minutes. Crack eggs into large bowl and whisk to blend. Bring cream mixture to boil in skillet. Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into eggs. Mix in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Add sauce to pasta and toss over medium heat until sauce coats pasta (do not boil). Add pancetta and zucchini and toss to heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve, passing remaining cheese.

BUCATINI WITH LEMONY CARBONARA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook guanciale, tossing often, until browned and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add pepper and cook, stirring often, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
• Add pasta to skillet along with 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and 1 oz. Parmesan and toss to coat. Remove skillet from heat and add egg yolks. Toss again, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a smooth glossy sauce coats pasta. Add grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and another 1 oz. Parmesan. Toss to coat, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed to loosen sauce.
• Divide pasta among bowls; top with sliced lemon zest and more Parmesan.

BUCATINI CARBONARA WITH GUANCIALE AND EXTRA CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a skillet to medium heat and add olive oil and cubed guanciale. Cook on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until pork is crisp and fat has rendered. Be sure to stir every so often to encourage even cooking and so the fat doesn't burn.
• Once done, remove pork to a plate and if you have excess fat, carefully pour some of it out.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
• While the water comes to a boil, in a large bowl, whisk together the whole eggs and egg yolks, shredded cheese and a good few turns of black pepper.
• Once pasta is done cooking (I always taste as I go for al-dente), use tongs to left the pasta our of the water and add directly to the egg mixture.
• Use tongs and toss the pasta with the egg mixture for a few minutes until thickened. If it's too thick, add a few teaspoons of reserved pasta water and toss again. If it's too thin, continue mixing and it will thicken up.
• Add cooked guanciale and toss again. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper and garnish with an extra shaving of Parmesan cheese.