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Pasta with Zucchini Cream and Scampi

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a recipe for a delicious Pasta with Zucchini Cream and Scampi with an Italian twist. This dish brings together the delicate flavors of the sea with the more earthy flavors of the garden.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (linguine or spaghetti work well)
  • 300 g of fresh or frozen scampi
  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil (as needed for sautéing)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Freshly chopped parsley (optional)
  • A knob of butter (optional to cream the pasta)
  • Grated lemon zest (for a touch of freshness)
  • White wine (a dash for deglazing)

Preparation

  1. Begin by cleaning the scampi: remove the head and shell, taking care to keep the flesh and coral (the orange part). Remove the intestine with the help of a toothpick. Set aside.

  2. Wash and cut the zucchinis into slices or cubes. In a pan, heat a stream of extra virgin olive oil and a crushed clove of garlic. When the garlic is golden, add the chopped zucchinis and let them cook over medium heat until they soften.

  3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water, following the cooking times on the package to achieve al dente texture.

  4. While the zucchinis are cooking, add a pinch of salt, pepper, and, if you like, some grated lemon zest.

  5. Once the zucchinis are cooked, take about a third of the zucchinis and set them aside. Blend the rest with a hand blender to obtain a smooth cream. If necessary, you can add a bit of the pasta cooking water to reach the desired consistency.

  6. In another pan, cook the scampi with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic. Deglaze with a dash of white wine and let it evaporate.

  7. Drain the pasta al dente and transfer it to the pan with the zucchini cream, add butter if you want a creamier texture, and mix vigorously over high heat.

  8. Add to the plate the creamy pasta, the sautéed scampi, and the zucchini slices you had set aside for a textural effect and contrast.

  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Curiosity

This recipe combines simple and genuine ingredients, such as zucchinis, with premium products like scampi, thus offering a balance of flavors that is typically cherished in Italian cuisine. The lemon zest adds a fresh and fragrant note that enhances the flavor of the scampi and pairs perfectly with the sweet taste of the zucchinis.