Zucchini Ribbon Pasta Recipes

GOLDEN RIBBONS PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO

Steps:

• If using large tomatoes score the bottoms with an X cutting through outer skin only. Bring a small pot of water to boil over medium heat and submerge the tomatoes for 1 minute. Remove and let cool for 1 to 2 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed and chop them into a fine dice, about 1/4-inch. Reserve in small bowl. If using grape tomatoes, cut them in half and reserve.
• Put the stock and saffron into a small pot over medium-low heat. Simmer gently. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat for the pasta. When the water is at a full, rolling boil, salt the water and add the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat with extra-virgin olive oil, a couple of turns of the pan, and the butter. When the butter melts into the oil add the shallots, zucchini, garlic and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and saute until tender, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and let them heat through. Add the pasta and stir gently.
• Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with 1/2 cup of the saffron stock. Pour the remaining stock and tempered eggs over the pasta and turn off the heat. Toss the pasta and the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
• Serve the pasta immediately in shallow bowls garnished with Parmesan.

ZUCCHINI RIBBON PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pasta pot, cook pasta "al dente", 1 or 2 minutes less than the package instructions call for. Drain.
• Meanwhile, slice off ends of zucchini and discard. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline, or carefully with a sharp knife, slice zucchini into very thin (about 1/8-inch) slices, trying to keep some skin on each piece for color. Stack slices and cut in half lengthwise. Reserve zucchini ribbons in a large bowl.
• In the pasta pot, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and translucent but not browned, about 1 minute. Add zucchini ribbons and 1/4 cup chicken broth, raise heat to medium-high and cook until zucchini is still somewhat firm but just cooked, about 3 minutes. Return pasta to pot and add remaining chicken stock; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until liquid has mostly absorbed into the pasta. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and toss to combine. Season with salt, to taste. Serve garnished with additional parsley, basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.

ZUCCHINI "PASTA"

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several ribbons from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more ribbons. Continue to turn and peel off ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the zucchini. Discard the core. You can also do this on a mandolin, adjusted to a very thin slice.
• Cook the zucchini strips in 2 batches. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and when it is hot, add the zucchini ribbons and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, tossing and stirring the zucchini, for 2 to 3 minutes only, just until softened and beginning to be translucent. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste, and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and zucchini. Serve, topping with tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan if desired.