Il Cucinologo
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Pasta with Zucchini

17/11/2023

Pasta with zucchini is a simple and quick dish, perfect for a light summer meal. Here is the classic Italian recipe with a touch of creativity.

Ingredients

  • 320 grams of pasta (penne, spaghetti or the shape you prefer)
  • 3-4 medium zucchini
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese to taste
  • Fresh basil (optional)
  • Grated lemon zest (for a touch of freshness, optional)
  • Chili pepper (optional, if you like a spicy touch)

Preparation

  1. Wash the zucchini and cut them into rounds or julienne, depending on your preference.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil with the garlic cloves. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can remove the garlic as soon as it is golden.
  3. Add the cut zucchini and let cook over medium-high heat until lightly golden. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente following the instructions on the package.
  5. Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water, and transfer it to the pan with the zucchini.
  6. Toss the pasta with the zucchini for a few minutes, adding a bit of cooking water to make the sauce creamier.
  7. Serve the pasta hot with a sprinkle of Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and if you like, grated lemon zest or a pinch of chili pepper.

Trivia

Zucchini are very versatile and lend themselves to different variations of this dish. For example, you can enrich it with shrimp or speck for an extra flavor boost. Alternatively, for a creamy version, you can add fresh ricotta or goat cheese towards the end of the zucchini cooking.