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Pasta with Yellow Zucchini Cream and Ham

17/11/2023

Pasta with yellow zucchini cream and ham is a delicious spring or summer dish that combines the sweetness of zucchini with the rich flavor of ham. Here’s the recipe to prepare this dish:

Ingredients

  • 350 g of pasta (penne or fusilli are perfect)
  • 2-3 medium-sized yellow zucchini
  • 100-150 g of prosciutto ham, raw or cooked (to taste)
  • 1 small onion or shallot
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • 100 ml of cooking cream or milk for a lighter version
  • Grated Parmesan cheese as needed
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • (Optional) A handful of toasted pine nuts

Preparation

  1. Wash the zucchini, then cut them into rounds or cubes. Set aside a few zucchini rounds for garnishing the dish.

  2. In a large pan, sauté the finely chopped onion or shallot in a drizzle of oil until they become translucent.

  3. Add the zucchini and let them cook for about 10-15 minutes on moderate heat, until they have softened. If necessary, add a little water to prevent sticking.

  4. In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

  5. While the pasta is cooking, take some of the cooked zucchini and blend them with an immersion blender, adding the cream or milk, until you get a smooth and even cream. Season with salt and pepper.

  6. Cut the ham into strips and add it to the zucchini left in the pan, cooking for a few more minutes.

  7. Drain the pasta al dente and reserve some of the cooking water. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the zucchini and ham, add the zucchini cream and mix everything together. If the mixture is too thick, use some of the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce.

  8. Serve hot, garnishing with the zucchini rounds set aside, fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan. For a crunchy touch, also add the toasted pine nuts if desired.

This recipe is a perfect balance between the simplicity of the ingredients and the refinement of taste. The cream of yellow zucchini will offer a velvety softness to the palate, while the ham adds that savory touch that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the vegetables. Enjoy your meal!

Pasta with Yellow Zucchini Cream and Ham