Pasta zucchini e pancetta

Pasta with zucchini and bacon is a simple and flavorful dish, a perfect combination of flavors typical of Italian cuisine. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 350 g of pasta (like penne or spaghetti)
• 2-3 medium zucchinis
• 150 g of cubed smoked bacon
• 1 small onion
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese to taste (optional)
• A pinch of chili pepper (optional)
• Fresh basil or mint for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by washing and cutting the zucchinis into rounds or cubes, according to your preference.
2. Finely slice the onion. In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent.
3. Add the bacon to the pan and let it cook until it becomes crispy. At this point, if you decide to add chili pepper, do so now to flavor the oil.
4. Add the cut zucchinis and cook until they are soft but still slightly crunchy, adjusting salt and pepper.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the pasta following the instructions on the package to achieve al dente texture.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and reserve some of the cooking water.
7. Add the pasta to the pan with the zucchinis and bacon, mixing well. If necessary, add some of the cooking water to make the dish creamier.
8. Serve hot, with a sprinkle of grated Pecorino or Parmesan and, if you like, garnish with fresh basil leaves or mint.

Curiosity

Pasta with zucchini and bacon is an extremely versatile dish where you can incorporate other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cooking cream for a creamier version, or even shrimp for a touch of the sea. Additionally, having pasta as a base allows you to experiment with different shapes, picking your favorite or the one that best matches the other ingredients. Enjoy your meal!