Pasta And Zucchini Modified From Pioneer Woman Recipes

THAT ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI STANLEY TUCCI LOVES (SPAGHETTI ALLA NERANO)

Steps:

• Place sunflower oil in a deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice zucchini into 1/8-inch rounds.
• Add some zucchini to the hot oil and deep-fry until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a single layer on paper towels to drain and repeat to cook remaining zucchini. Let zucchini cool to room temperature.
• Transfer cooled zucchini to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it's 2 minutes away from being tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 10 minutes.
• As you are cooking the spaghetti, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to release juices, soften, and break down, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a couple splashes of the pasta water to the zucchini, but don't overdo it. Break zucchini into small pieces with the edge of a spoon or spatula. Reduce heat to low and toss in basil and butter; stir until butter melts.
• Grab spaghetti with tongs and transfer it right into the sauce; stir until coated. Mix in Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust salt if needed.
• Serve with more grated cheese and fresh basil.

VEGGIE-PACKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package guidelines. Drain, reserving a 1/4 cup of the pasta water (plus a little more). Set the pasta and pasta water aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic and stir. Add the asparagus and zucchini and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, to soften the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine, scrape up the bottom of the pan and let the wine cook down. Add the kale, peas, ricotta cheese, pesto and the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water and bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute. Add the drained pasta and mix thoroughly. Use more pasta water as needed if the sauce is too thick.
• Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a medium bowl and mix until well combined.
• Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the pasta, then bake until the breadcrumbs are golden, and the sauce is bubbly, 15 to 17 minutes.
• Remove and garnish with fresh parsley.

ZUCCHINI CARBONARA

Steps:

• Make the zucchini noodles using a spiralizer (if not using pre-made noodles).
• Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until just barely crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Return the pan to the stove over medium-low heat and throw in the garlic and onions. Cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Mix together the eggs, yolks, Parmesan and cream in a bowl until smooth.
• Pour in the egg mixture into the skillet with the onions and garlic, carefully stirring the whole time. Season with salt and pepper. Add the peas and bacon, stirring until it's all combined and the mixture is warmed through. Add the zucchini noodles and carefully stir so the noodles don't fall apart.
• Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil.

ZUCCHINI NOODLES

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zucchini into long ribbons.
• Set a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and heat the butter and olive oil. Add the zucchini and toss around in the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan, tomatoes and garlic and toss to heat through. Sprinkle over the basil and serve within a few minutes, before the zucchini gets too soft!