Il Cucinologo
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Orecchiette with Marinated Anchovies and Zucchini Ribbons

17/11/2023

Here’s a recipe for preparing delicious Orecchiette with marinated anchovies and zucchini ribbons, a dish that blends the flavor of the sea with the freshness of vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 320 g orecchiette
  • 200 g fresh anchovies (or anchovies in oil as an alternative)
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Chopped parsley to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. If using fresh anchovies, gut them, remove the head and central bone, then marinate them in lemon juice with a sprinkle of pepper for about 30 minutes.
  2. If instead you opt for anchovies in oil, drain them from the preserving oil and marinate them in freshly squeezed lemon juice with pepper for about 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, wash the zucchini and cut them into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler or a mandoline. Set the ribbons aside.
  4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orecchiette until al dente, following the package instructions.
  5. While the orecchiette are cooking, heat a drizzle of oil in a pan and lightly sauté the garlic clove to flavor the oil. Remove the garlic and add the marinated anchovies to the pan, letting them cook briefly.
  6. Add the zucchini ribbons to the pan with the anchovies and sauté for a few minutes until they become slightly soft.
  7. Drain the orecchiette and add them to the pan with the anchovies and zucchini, mixing gently to flavor the pasta.
  8. Plate the orecchiette and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
  9. Serve immediately with a grind of fresh pepper and, if desired, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil raw.

For an even more Italian touch to the dish, you could add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs toasted in a pan with a drizzle of oil to give crunchiness and emphasize the Mediterranean aroma.

Trivia

Orecchiette are a typical pasta from Apulian cuisine that owes its name to its shape similar to small ears. Often paired with turnip greens, in this recipe it is enhanced by the freshness of zucchini and the intensity of anchovies. Marinated anchovies pair well with fresh and summery ingredients, making this dish an ideal choice for the hot months.