Zucchini, Fresh Herbs, and Garlic Pasta
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A super quick, 3-ingredient pasta dish
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 large zucchini, diced
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more as needed)
  • 5 med. cloves of garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp. pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped parsley (or a combination of herbs)
  • ¾ lb. spaghetti
  • ½-1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler (plus more for serving)
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add one tablespoon of salt (to season the water) and then add the spaghetti.
  2. While the water boils, mince the zucchini, the garlic, and the parsley. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and then add the zucchini. Sauté the zucchini, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes or until it starts to get some color. Add the garlic, the pepper flakes and the salt. Cook for two more minutes. Next, add the parsley and cook for a few minutes more.
  3. When the pasta is cooked al dente, reserve ½ cup of the cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
  4. Check the consistency of the pasta sauce; if it is too dry, stir in a few more tablespoons of olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add half of the reserved cooking water to loosen up the sauce. Return the pasta to the skillet. Mix well and add the rest of the cooking water if needed. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  5. Serve at once, with a drizzle of your best olive oil and some extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Alongside with parsley, other favorite fresh herbs, like chives, would also go very well.
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/zucchini-fresh-herb-and-garlic-pasta/