Pasta with Zucchini and Prosciutto

Pasta with zucchini and prosciutto is a simple but very tasty dish, perfect for a summer dinner. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320g pasta (penne or spaghetti work well)
• 2 medium zucchini
• 100g cooked ham, preferably in a single slice to be cut into cubes
• 1 small onion
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan (optional)

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil for the pasta in a large pot and cook the pasta according to the package instructions, until it reaches the desired doneness (al dente is ideal).

2. Meanwhile, wash the zucchini, cut them into slices not too thin and then in half, to obtain semicircles.

3. Peel the onion, slice it finely and sauté it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

4. When the onion has become translucent, add the cut zucchini and let them cook over medium-high heat for about 5-10 minutes, until they are lightly golden.

5. Cut the cooked ham into cubes and add it to the zucchini. Let it flavor for a couple of minutes.

6. Drain the pasta and toss it in the pan with the zucchini and ham, mixing well for a few minutes.

7. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

8. Serve hot, with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if desired.

Fun Fact

If you want an even richer dish, you can add some cooking cream just before incorporating the pasta, thus creating a creamier version of the recipe. Additionally, if you prefer, you can replace the cooked ham with raw prosciutto added at the end of cooking to preserve its flavor and texture.