Zucchini And Basil Pesto Recipes

HEATHER'S ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH BASIL-PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• To prepare the pesto: In a food processor, combine the onion (if using, see notes), garlic, basil, toasted pepitas, olive oil, vinegar and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and season with salt, to taste (I added about 1/2 teaspoon-if the mixture tastes overwhelmingly oniony, don't worry, it will mellow in a few minutes. I added another teaspoon of vinegar to help balance the flavors).
• To prepare the noodles: Spiralize the zucchini with a spiralizer (here's how), or turn the zucchini into noodles with a julienne peeler, or grate the zucchini the long way on a large box grater. Toss the zucchini with pesto until well coated, and season with salt (I added another 1/4 teaspoon).
• Transfer the pesto noodles to a large platter and sprinkle with the cherry tomatoes. Tuck the fresh basil in to the corners to garnish.

ZUCCHINI PIZZA WITH BASIL MINT PESTO

Steps:

• For the pizza dough: Mix together the flour, salt and yeast in a bowl, then stir in 350 grams (1 1/2 cups) water until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and put it down for an 18- to 24-hour nap at room temperature until it's doubled in sized and bubbling.
• For the pizza toppings: Preheat the grill with a pizza stone over medium-high heat. (If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use a baking sheet.)
• Combine the pine nuts, garlic, basil, mint, crushed red pepper, juice of half a lemon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, a few turns of black pepper and the Parmesan in a food processor and pulse to a coarse crumb. With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.
• Divide the pizza dough in half. On a floured pizza peel or baking sheet, flatten out one half of the dough into a 10- to 11-inch round. Spread with a thin layer of the pesto and top with half of the mozzarella. Bring it out to the grill. Grill the zucchini and remaining lemon half on the grates until charred, a few minutes. Add half the zucchini to the pizza and slide it onto the pizza stone. Close the grill and cook until the bottom is browned and cheese is melty, 6 to 9 minutes. Drizzle with more pesto, squeeze with juice from the charred lemon and add more Parmesan, crushed red pepper and basil and serve.
• Repeat with the other half of the pizza dough and ingredients.

ZUCCHINI WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a layer of olive oil in a skillet over medium high. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the zucchini in an even layer, avoiding overlapping in the skillet (you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding!). Season with salt and pepper. When the zucchini begins to brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes, flip over and allow to brown on the other side, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the skillet to the serving plate.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the walnuts, basil, mint, Parmesan, vinegar and a pinch of crushed red pepper to the carafe of a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are combined but still chunky. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Drizzle the pesto on top of the zucchini. Top with additional Parmesan, fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes and serve!

ZUCCHINI AND BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• In a skillet add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Saute the chopped zucchini on low to medium heat until zucchini is a little soft (about 10 minutes).
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• In a food processor add the sauteed zucchini and the rest of the ingredients.
• Pulse until it becomes a "pesto" consistency about 10 times.
• Bring a pot of water to boil. Add in your favorite pasta and a little salt. Cook pasta for about 7 minutes.
• Drain and put pasta back into the pot. Add zucchini and basil pesto. Stir all together until well combined. Add a little Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve!

ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH BASIL PESTO AND BACON

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Lay bacon slices on a large baking tray.
• Broil in the preheated oven until crispy, 9 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a large plate lined with absorbent kitchen paper and allow to cool and harden.
• Crumble the cooled bacon into smaller pieces and combine with pesto sauce.
• Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to cut zucchini into noodles, snipping midway to prevent them from getting too long.
• Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add zucchini and garlic and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add pesto-bacon mixture and heat for 2 minutes longer. Toss well so the noodles are evenly coated. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• Top with freshly grated Parmiggiano-Reggiano cheese so it can melt while the dish is still warm. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Top with arugula, but do not mix it in. Serve immediately.