Spaghetti Alla Nerana (Nerana Style Spaghetti with Zucchini)
Beautiful recipe from the TV series 'Cook like an Italian' by Essteele's ambassador Silvia Colloca.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 75 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 kg zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove, skin on, bashed with the back of a knife
- salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
- 400 g dried spaghetti
- 175 g provolone, cut into cubes
- 40 g freshly grated parmigiano
- basil leaves, to serve
Method:
- Heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the zucchini and garlic and fry for 5-6 minutes or until nicely coloured. Season with salt and set aside. Discard the garlic.
- Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Drop in the spaghetti and stir well to separate the strands. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (generally 1 minute less than the cooking time recommended on the packet).
- When the pasta is ready, place the zucchini in the pan over medium heat. Using a spaghetti spoon, transfer the spaghetti straight into the zucchini pan, dragging a little of the cooking water with it, then toss well.
- Turn off the heat and add the provolone. Stir vigorously to allow the residual heat from the pan to melt the cheese and create a luscious sauce. Add the parmigiano and keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and the zucchini has broken down in the pan, creating a beautiful creaminess.
- Divide among bowls and serve straight away with a good grinding of pepper and a few basil leaves.