Pasta with potatoes and zucchini

Pasta with potatoes and zucchini is a simple and tasty dish, typical of Italian home cooking. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta (penne, fusilli, or another preferred shape)
• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 large potato
• 1 clove of garlic
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by washing the zucchinis and potato. Slice the zucchinis into not-too-thick rounds and cut the potato into small cubes to ensure even cooking.
2. In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and add a whole or chopped clove of garlic, depending on your taste.
3. Add the potatoes to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until they start to become golden.
4. Add the zucchini rounds, a pinch of salt, and pepper if you like, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente.
6. When the vegetables are cooked and soft, you can choose to leave them as is or mash some of them with a fork to create a sort of cream that will better wrap the pasta.
7. Drain the pasta al dente and pour it into the pan with the vegetables, mixing well to combine everything.
8. If you like, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Curiosity

In some variations of the recipe, it is also possible to add cubed bacon or cooked ham to give an extra touch of flavor. Moreover, this dish can be personalized with the addition of spices such as oregano or chili pepper to give an additional touch of liveliness according to your personal taste. This is an example of how Italian cooking relies on simple ingredients but always manages to transform them into something delicious and welcoming.