In the realm of Italian cuisine, Spaghetti alla Nerano stands out as a culinary masterpiece, beckoning pasta enthusiasts with its captivating simplicity and exquisite flavors. Originating from the picturesque village of Nerano on the Amalfi Coast, this delectable dish has gained international acclaim for its harmonious blend of fresh ingredients and vibrant colors. At its heart lies the marriage of perfectly cooked spaghetti with tender zucchini, delicately fried until golden brown, creating a symphony of textures that dances on the palate. Garlic and fresh herbs, such as basil and mint, add layers of aromatic complexity, while the finishing touch comes from a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, infusing each bite with the essence of the Mediterranean. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking for a taste of Italy, Spaghetti alla Nerano promises an unforgettable culinary journey. This article presents two variations of this beloved dish: a classic rendition that stays true to its traditional roots and a modern interpretation that incorporates a tantalizing pesto sauce, elevating the flavors to new heights.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
SPAGHETTI WITH FRIED ZUCCHINI (SPAGHETTI ALLA NERANO)
Spaghetti alla Nerano made famous by Stanley Tucci in his Searching for Italy series is an excellent example of a simple but exquisite vegetable pasta recipe from Southern Italy. It includes ingredients typical of Neapolitan cuisine and is very easy to make!
Provided by Jacqui
Categories Main Course
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Wash and cut the zucchini into thin slices, then fry them in extra virgin olive oil until browned.
- Once fried, put the slices on paper towels to remove the excess oil.
- Meanwhile boil the pasta in plenty of lightly salted water until al dente and drain, keeping aside a cup of the cooking water.
- Heat some more olive oil in a frying pan with the 2 garlic cloves and cook taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Immerse the zucchini slices in boiling water for 4 or 5 seconds, then cream 1/3 of them either by mashing through a sieve or briefly liquidizing in a food blender with some of the pasta cooking water.
- Remove the garlic and add the cream of zucchini and the zucchini slices to the pan and then stir in the cooked spaghetti. If the dish appears too dry add some of the saved pasta cooking water. Continue to stir over a low heat for a minute.
- Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the grated provolone until it starts to melt and become creamy. Season with a sprinkling of pepper and salt as required, Serve decorated with the basil leaves cut into pieces and some extra grated provolone to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 559 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
THAT ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI STANLEY TUCCI LOVES (SPAGHETTI ALLA NERANO)
After listening to Stanley Tucci lose his mind about this pasta and calling it life-changing and one of the best things he's ever eaten, I decided I'd give it a try. The results were amazing and the key to getting the toasted sweet taste of the zucchini was deep-frying it!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Vegetarian Zucchini Main Dishes
Time 8h55m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place sunflower oil in a deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice zucchini into 1/8-inch rounds.
- Add some zucchini to the hot oil and deep-fry until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a single layer on paper towels to drain and repeat to cook remaining zucchini. Let zucchini cool to room temperature.
- Transfer cooled zucchini to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it's 2 minutes away from being tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 10 minutes.
- As you are cooking the spaghetti, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to release juices, soften, and break down, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a couple splashes of the pasta water to the zucchini, but don't overdo it. Break zucchini into small pieces with the edge of a spoon or spatula. Reduce heat to low and toss in basil and butter; stir until butter melts.
- Grab spaghetti with tongs and transfer it right into the sauce; stir until coated. Mix in Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust salt if needed.
- Serve with more grated cheese and fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1016.2 calories, Carbohydrate 62.5 g, Cholesterol 56.5 mg, Fat 78.1 g, Fiber 8.3 g, Protein 23.3 g, SaturatedFat 19.6 g, Sodium 479.3 mg, Sugar 11.9 g
SPAGHETTI ALLA NERANO (SPAGHETTI WITH FRIED ZUCCHINI)
This regional pasta dish from Naples is super simple and easy.
Provided by luv2cook
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.2 g, Cholesterol 5.7 mg, Fat 15 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 10.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 84.7 mg, Sugar 3 g
Tips:
- Use fresh zucchini for the best flavor and texture.
- Slice the zucchini thinly and evenly so that it cooks evenly.
- Fry the zucchini in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure that it gets crispy.
- Use a large skillet or sauté pan so that the zucchini has plenty of room to spread out.
- Season the zucchini with salt and pepper to taste, and add any other herbs or spices that you like.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, then drain it and reserve it.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, make the sauce by sautéing the garlic in olive oil, then adding the fried zucchini and basil.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then add the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat.
- Serve the spaghetti immediately, topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Conclusion:
Spaghetti alla Nerano is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer meal. The combination of crispy zucchini, flavorful sauce, and al dente spaghetti is sure to please everyone at the table. With its simple ingredients and vibrant flavors, this dish is a true celebration of Italian cuisine.
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