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Creamy Bucatini with Zucchini and Mint

17/11/2023

I can propose an Italian variant of this dish that reflects the freshness and taste of the Mediterranean. Here’s the recipe for preparing creamy bucatini with zucchini and mint.

Ingredients

  • 350 g of bucatini
  • 2-3 medium zucchini
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • A bunch of fresh mint
  • 100 ml of cooking cream or alternatively, if you prefer something lighter, you can use milk and flour to create a light béchamel sauce
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (as much as you like)
  • A knob of butter (optional)

Preparation

  1. Wash and cut the zucchini into thin rounds or, if you prefer, julienne.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil with the crushed garlic clove (which you’ll remove later) and add the zucchini. Lightly salt them.
  3. Cook over medium-high heat until the zucchini are golden and soft.
  4. In the meantime, cook the bucatini in plenty of salted water according to the cooking time indicated on the package to achieve an al dente pasta.
  5. While the pasta cooks, remove the garlic from the zucchini, add the cream (or light béchamel) to the zucchini, and cook over low heat for a few minutes, being careful not to let it thicken too much.
  6. Finely chop the mint and add it to the zucchini and cream sauce.
  7. Drain the bucatini and set aside some cooking water.
  8. Pour the bucatini into the skillet with the zucchini and mint sauce, adding a little cooking water if needed to make everything creamier.
  9. Stir well to blend the pasta with the sauce over low heat. If you wish, you can add a knob of butter for an even creamier texture.
  10. Turn off the heat and add grated Parmesan cheese to taste, stirring for a few more minutes.
  11. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper, if necessary.

Serve the creamy bucatini with zucchini and mint immediately, garnishing with fresh mint leaves and adding more grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Curiosity

The choice of zucchini is not accidental: they are a very versatile vegetable widely used in Italian cuisine, especially in the summer period. The addition of mint gives a touch of freshness to the dish, making it ideal for a light but very tasty summer dinner.

Creamy Bucatini with Zucchini and Mint