In the realm of summer cooking, few dishes capture the essence of the season quite like Zucchini Summer Pasta. This symphony of flavors and textures is a delightful harmony of fresh zucchini, succulent tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and the undeniable magic of pasta. As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll discover a trio of tantalizing recipes that elevate this classic dish to new heights. Dive into the vibrant flavors of the classic Zucchini Summer Pasta, where the vibrant colors of zucchini and tomatoes dance in a sea of olive oil and garlic. Explore the Mediterranean-inspired twist of the Zucchini Summer Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Pesto, where roasted red peppers add a smoky depth that beautifully complements the sweetness of zucchini. And for a taste of rustic Italian charm, indulge in the Zucchini Summer Pasta with Pancetta and Peas, where crispy pancetta and tender peas lend a delightful savory touch. Each recipe promises a unique culinary adventure, guaranteeing a memorable dining experience that celebrates the bounty of summer's harvest.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL
A summer pasta should be simple and fresh, ideally made with vegetables straight from the garden or market. Look for the best artisanal ricotta; top-quality ingredients make all the difference here.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
- Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
- Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 457, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 66 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 712 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
ZUCCHINI SUMMER PASTA
This is a fast, cheap, warm, summer main dish -- angel hair, yellow squash and zucchini in a tomato sauce -- and a great way to use up your summer squash. Top with cheddar cheese!
Provided by BMBLOCK
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Summer Squash
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In large skillet, over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in butter and oil about 2 minutes. Reduce heat, and layer zucchini and yellow squash slices on top of onion and garlic. Add salt and pepper, cover and steam 10 minutes, or until squash is tender.
- While vegetables are steaming, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Add the crushed tomatoes to the zucchini mixture, stir and heat slightly, but do not cook the tomatoes. Serve the zucchini sauce over the pasta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 486.5 calories, Carbohydrate 86.7 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 10.8 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 513.8 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
PASTA WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI
Another simple but tasty recipe from Leanne Ely's Menu Mailers (savingdinner.com). I love a quick, healthy meal especially when it gets me compliments from my hubby. I used wholemeal spirals instead of the linguine the original called for, and simplified the instructions to avoid dirtying an extra pan unnecessarily.
Provided by Gingernut
Categories European
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large skillet, saute zucchini, yellow squash, onion and garlic in olive oil until vegetables are almost tender. Add basil and spaghetti sauce and stir until warmed through.
- Spoon sauce over hot linguini. Toss to coat well. Top with cheeses.
SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL RECIPE - (4/5)
Provided by á-24269
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water. Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.
SUMMER ZUCCHINI PASTA
I'm always experimenting when my garden is cranking out zucchini and summer squash. This simple and healthy summer zucchini pasta is one of my latest wins. It's meatless, but you can add shredded chicken or grilled salmon for a heartier dish. -Beth Berlin, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and yellow squash; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add tomatoes, basil, rosemary, salt and pepper flakes; heat through. Drain pasta; serve with zucchini mixture. If desired, top with additional basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 505mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right zucchini. Look for small to medium-sized zucchini that are firm and have smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid zucchini that are large, as they tend to be more watery and less flavorful.
- Slice the zucchini thinly. This will help it cook evenly and quickly.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. When cooking the zucchini, make sure to give it enough space in the pan so that it can cook evenly. Otherwise, it will steam instead of sauté.
- Use a well-seasoned pan. This will help prevent the zucchini from sticking and burning.
- Don't overcook the zucchini. Zucchini cooks quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's tender.
- Add your favorite seasonings. Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Try adding garlic, herbs, spices, or citrus zest to taste.
- Serve immediately. Zucchini is best served immediately after cooking, while it's still hot and tender.
Conclusion:
Zucchini summer pasta is a light, refreshing, and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer meal. It's quick and easy to make, and it's a great way to use up fresh zucchini from your garden. With so many delicious variations to choose from, there's sure to be a zucchini summer pasta recipe that everyone will enjoy.
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