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fried zucchini pasta
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Fried Zucchini Pasta

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Vincenzo's Plate

Equipment

  • Large fry pan
  • Medium size pot for frying
  • large pot
  • wooden spoon
  • knife
  • Chopping-board
  • Tablespoon
  • Mug
  • Hand sieve or colander

Ingredients

  • 300 grams Spaghetti 10.6oz
  • 600 grams Zucchini /21oz
  • bunch Fresh basil
  • 1 Garlic clove
  • 3 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 150 grams Provolone Dolce cheese 5.3oz. 3/4 cup
  • Extra virgin olive oil EVOO – (LOTS!)

Instructions

  • Fried zucchini pasta requires perfectly cut zucchini, so this is the best place to start! Cut off both ends of the zucchini and discard.
  • Place each zucchini on the chopping board and start to slice round discs from one end to the other. They need to be quite thin and as even as possible.
  • Put 5L water into your large pot and put on the stove at a high heat. This will be used to boil your pasta.
  • Place a small pot on the stove at a medium heat and add extra virgin olive oil. Heat this up and test if the temperature is correct by putting a small piece of zucchini into the oil – if it bubbles, the oil is ready!
  • Add a scoop full of zucchini (not too many!) to your pot and fry until golden brown. Ensure they are all cooked through by gently stirring them every so often.
  • Line a plate with kitchen paper and fresh basil leaves, then strain the zucchini onto this so that the flavours infuse and you also get rid of excess oil.
  • Repeat until all of your zucchini are fried and ready lining the paper towel with basil each time.
  • The water for your fried zucchini pasta should be boiling by now – add a tablespoon of rock salt and allow to dissolve then add your pasta and cook it according to the packet instructions.
  • Freshly grate 150g/5.3oz provolone cheese and leave on a plate to the side.
  • Once the pasta is almost ready, put a frypan on your stove and turn the heat to a medium level before adding 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
  • While this is warming up, add a garlic clove, squashing it with your hands or by firmly pressing down on it using one side of a large knife.
  • Approx 1-2 minutes before your pasta is ready add the zucchini and basil prepared earlier to the pan and mix them around to slightly moisten them again.
  • Just before you strain the pasta, collect some of the water using a mug and put it to the side.
  • Now, remove the garlic clove, then strain the pasta and add it to your pan along with a generous amount (approx. 2/3 mug) of pasta water.
  • Combine this using a set of tongs until all of the ingredients have mixed through – make sure you still have the heat on, but keep it quite low.
  • Once this has infused well, turn off the stove and add 3 tablespoons of Pecorino cheese along with more fresh basil leaves.
  • Combine this really well and if you can, toss it together to create an incredible creamy textured sauce for your fried zucchini pasta dish!
  • Next, add the provolone cheese along with the remaining pasta water and combine once again.
  • If you’re worried about the cheese sticking to the bottom, add a little more pasta water and mix through again.
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!

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