Fusilli with zucchini and cherry tomatoes

Here is a simple recipe to prepare tasty Fusilli with zucchini and cherry tomatoes, a light and tasty dish typical of Italian cuisine.

Ingredients

• 320 g of fusilli
• 2 medium-sized zucchini
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh basil (to taste)
• Extra virgin olive oil (as needed)
• Salt and pepper (as needed)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• Chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the zucchinis and the cherry tomatoes. Cut the zucchinis into thin rounds or half-moons and the cherry tomatoes in half.
2. In a large pan, sauté the garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil. If you like, you can add a small piece of chili pepper to give the dish a spicy touch.
3. Add the zucchini to the pan and sauté over medium heat until they have slightly softened.
4. Remove the garlic and incorporate the cherry tomatoes, cooking for a few minutes until a light sauce is created. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli according to the package instructions for al dente pasta.
6. Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Toss everything together for a few minutes so that the pasta absorbs all the flavors of the sauce.
7. Serve the fusilli with zucchini and cherry tomatoes hot, garnished with hand-torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

If you want to add a crunchy touch to the dish, you can finish with some toasted almond flakes or add breadcrumbs previously sautéed in a pan with a bit of oil until golden.

Curiosity

Cherry tomatoes, originally from Sicily, are famous for their sweet and concentrated flavor, which pairs very well with the freshness of zucchini. This dish is very versatile and can be enriched with other ingredients to taste like olives, capers, or tuna.