Pasta Con Zucchini Recipes

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the packet instructions, but drain 1 minute before the end of the cooking time.
• Before draining, reserve about 1/2 of cooking water.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a large pan (see notes) heat the olive oil, add the garlic and gently fry for about 30 seconds, until golden and fragrant.
• Add the zucchini to the pan, add salt and pepper and toss to combine. Start with 1/2 tsp of salt and a good pinch of pepper, but after a few minutes check if you're happy with the seasoning.
• Fry the zucchini gently over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. You want the zucchini to turn slightly brown and absorb the flavor from the garlic, the oil, and the seasoning. Make sure you don't steam them. Cook until soft, 8-10 minutes should be enough.
• Add pasta to the zucchini, stir to combine. Then add parmesan, cream cheese, (or ricotta). Stir well to combine for about 1 minutes over medium-high heat. Add a few Tbsps of pasta cooking water to make it moist, if needed (see notes).
• Serve immediately with grated parmesan cheese, freshly ground black pepper or chili flakes, if you like.

ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions. In a sieve or colander, drain the zucchini, squeezing to remove excess liquid. Pat dry. , In a large nonstick skillet, saute zucchini in oil for 2 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1-2 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the yogurt, cheese, salt and pepper. Drain linguine; add to zucchini mixture and toss to coat.

ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini, onion and thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper and adjust heat so onion and zucchini release their liquid without browning. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until very tender.
• Add tomatoes and their liquid to zucchini and raise heat a bit so mixture bubbles. Cook pasta until it is nearly but not quite tender. If sauce threatens to dry out, add a little pasta cooking water.
• Drain pasta and finish cooking it in sauce. Serve, garnished with parsley or Parmesan.

ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and reserve.
• Fill a medium sauce pan with lightly salted water. Add zucchini and bring to a boil; boil for 10 minutes or until tender.
• In a large skillet, saute garlic in oil and hot pepper flakes. Add drained zucchini and parsley, then mix all together and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Toss with pasta; then add cheese and salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

PASTA AI FIORI DI ZUCCA (PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS)

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water.
• Clean and rinse zucchini blossoms, removing the inner parts (stigma or anthers); coarsely chop the flowers.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until it begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir parsley, saffron, and reserved 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water into skillet; stir to combine. Add zucchini blossoms and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cornmeal into mixture and stir constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Gently fold penne pasta into zucchini blossom mixture and top with Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.

SPAGHETTI ALLA NERANO (SPAGHETTI WITH FRIED ZUCCHINI)

Steps:

• Place zucchini slices on a plate and let dry for 1 hour.
• Heat 1/2 cup oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini slices in batches and deep fry until brown, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool. Mash 1/3 of the zucchini.
• Place 3 tablespoons olive oil and garlic cloves in a large saucepan over low heat. Watch carefully and simmer until garlic cloves are a light golden brown and oil is infused with garlic flavor, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in mashed zucchini. Add zucchini slices.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain spaghetti, reserving some cooking water.
• Add spaghetti and provolone cheese to the saucepan. Toss and add hot pasta water until sauce becomes creamy. Mix in basil, season with salt and pepper, and serve.