Pasta and Zucchini

Pasta with zucchini is a simple and tasty dish that tastes of home and spring. Here is how to prepare it in Italian style!

Ingredients

• 320g of pasta (penne, spaghetti, or the shape you prefer)
• 4 medium zucchini
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil as needed
• Salt and pepper as needed
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Untreated lemon zest (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the zucchini and cut them into rounds or cubes, according to your preference.
2. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the peeled garlic cloves. Let the garlic lightly brown to flavor the oil.
3. Remove the garlic and add the zucchini to the pan. Sauté the zucchini over medium-high heat until they become slightly golden.
4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package.
5. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water, and add it to the zucchini in the pan.
6. Toss the pasta with the zucchini, adding some of the cooking water if necessary to make the sauce creamy.
7. Adjust salt and pepper and serve warm. If you want, you can add grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and grated lemon zest for a touch of freshness and flavor.

Curiosity

Pasta with zucchini is a very versatile dish: you can enrich it with the addition of other seasonal vegetables, fresh cheeses like ricotta or feta, or proteins like bacon or shrimp. It is also perfect for enhancing the aroma of basil or mint, giving it a fresher and more summery twist.