Pesto Zucchini Pasta Nests Recipes

PARMESAN PESTO ZUCCHINI STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Cut each zucchini in quarters lengthwise through the stem and then cut each quarter again in thirds lengthwise, making long skinny spears. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the pesto and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Place the parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until they are finely minced. Add the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse only until all the panko is moistened with oil. Pour the mixture onto a dinner plate.
• Dip the zucchini spears first into the pesto mixture, turning to coat completely, then place each one in the crumb mixture, pressing and turning to coat thickly. Arrange the sticks in rows on the prepared sheet pans.
• Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the crumbs have crisped to a crunchy golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with flaked sea salt and serve hot.

PESTO ZUCCHINI PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Using a medium pot, add water, olive oil and salt. Bring water to a boil and add in 2 pasta nests. Reduce heat and cook until al dente.
• Using a food processor, add the fresh basil and some olive oil. Puree until soft. Using a hand held blender combine the puree basil, a clove of garlic, and a fair amount of olive oil. Once smooth add in the cheese. After cheese is properly incorporated add chopped pine nuts.
• Slice zucchini into 1/8 inch slices. Using a saute pan, add olive oil. Once oil is heated, add zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Once one side of zucchini is golden brown, flip and cook the other until even.
• Serve pasta nests with zucchini on the side, drizzle pesto sauce on top and serve immediately.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES, ZUCCHINI AND PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion and garlic and saut until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices and simmer until almost all liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain; return to pot.
• Add pesto to pasta and toss to coat. Add zucchini mixture and toss over low heat to combine. Mix in basil. Season pasta with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to large bowl. Serve, passing Parmesan cheese separately.

SPAGHETTI WITH ZUCCHINI, PARSLEY PESTO AND BOTTARGA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Put parsley in a food processor or blender. Add garlic, a good pinch of salt, black pepper to taste, and olive oil. Whirl to make a smooth sauce. You should have about 1 cup of pesto.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, erring on the slightly underdone side.
• While the pasta cooks, put about 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the zucchini for about 2 minutes. Let it brown a little. Add salt, pepper, red-pepper flakes and lemon zest.
• Add drained pasta to skillet along with half the pesto. Toss everything together. Taste, and add more salt or pesto as needed. (Wrap and refrigerate any remaining pesto for up to 2 days or freeze for future use.)
• Divide pasta among individual plates and sprinkle generously with bottarga. Top with bread crumbs, and serve with lemon wedges.