Zucchini is another one of my favorite summer vegetables. It always taste so fresh and light, and really brightens up a meal. I usually just saute zucchini and summer squash or grill it, so I was in search of a recipe that actually incorporated zucchini into the main meal versus it just being a side. Sunset magazine had this delicious sounding recipe for zucchini fusilli.
Ingredients:
4 medium sized zucchini
2 garlic cloves
12 large basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon plus 1 tbsp. salt, divided
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 box fusilli
1 cup fresh finely shredded Parmesan cheese (about 2 oz.), divided
Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
Trim and discard ends of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini into 3-4 inch pieces. Cut each length into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick matchsticks and set aside. (Also known as a julienne cut)
Prepare your garlic and basil. Cut the basil into thin ribbons.
In a large saute pan, toast the pine nuts over medium heat until golden (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Using the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter with 2 teaspoons olive oil.
Add half of the zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook over high heat.
Transfer to a plate, leaving as much of the butter and oil in the pan as possible (I used tongs. You can also use a slotted spoon). Repeat with remaining zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta to boiling water. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until a dente. Transfer to a large bowl.
While the pasta is cooking, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and chopped garlic to the saute pan. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the zucchini and pine nuts. Stir until well combined.
Add zucchini mixture to the cooked fusilli and top with basil. Toss to combine.
Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Toss until butter melts. Divide among 6 bowls. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and serve immediately.
This was a hit. My boyfriend isn’t the biggest fan of zucchini, yet he really liked the dish. The fusilli catches all the cheese, garlic, basil and butter. Be sure to cut the zucchini so that it is bite sized!
This looks delicious. I make something very similar and we all love it. Definitely a great summer meal!
I need to get my hands on some zucchini! This looks like my kind of pasta dish!
Oh – this is fabulous! With the amazing amount of zucchini available right now, you can’t have enough good zucchini recipes! ….and I love toasted pine nuts in dishes like this one!
Very healthy and tasty, the zucchini is my fav too, in fact I eat almost everyday as salad by its own. Like the nuts inside this recipe.
BEAUTIFUL and so many details a wonderful post!
cheese, garlic, butter and basil…what’s not to like…and of course the zucchini
Yummy this pasta dish looks incredible! I love the addition of pine nuts for a nice crunch, I’ll definitely be making this! 🙂
This pasta dish is right up my alley! Love zucchini and the pine nuts!
My boyfriend would absolutely enjoy this recipe. He loves pasta and by looking at your picture it looks delicious!
Delicious! Two of my favorites: zucchini & pasta. Yum 🙂
Yep. This would be a good summer dish!