Fettuccine With Walnuts Zucchini Ribbons And Pecorino Romano Recipes

FETTUCCINE WITH WALNUTS, ZUCCHINI RIBBONS, AND PECORINO ROMANO

Steps:

• Place 1 zucchini on work surface. Using vegetable peeler and firmly holding zucchini by stem end, shave zucchini lengthwise into long ribbons. Discard scraps. Repeat with remaining zucchini. Place ribbons (about 10 cups total) in large colander set over large bowl; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon fleur de sel. Let stand 30 minutes. Rinse zucchini under cold running water; drain well. Spread on 2 large kitchen towels; roll up in towels to absorb excess water. Set aside.
• Combine garlic, anchovy fillets, and crushed red pepper in very large serving bowl. Using pestle or wooden spoon, crush mixture until paste forms.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Transfer pasta to bowl with garlic mixture. Add 1/3 cup oil and 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid; toss. Add zucchini, walnuts, 1/2 cup cheese, basil, and mint; toss. Season with salt and pepper, adding more pasta cooking liquid if mixture is dry. Drizzle with additional oil. Sprinkle with zucchini flowers, if desired. Serve with remaining cheese.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH PECORINO WALNUT CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat; see Grilling Procedure .
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, then whisk with 2 tablespoons oil and red-pepper flakes in a large bowl.
• Brush zucchini with remaining tablespoon oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Oil grill rack, then grill zucchini, cut sides down first, covered, turning once, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Slice zucchini crosswise 1/4 inch thick, then immediately toss with garlic oil.
• Stir together 1/2 cup cheese, walnuts, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• Cook fettuccine in a pasta pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Toss pasta with zucchini, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and reserved cooking water. Serve sprinkled with walnut mixture.

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, MINT, AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups water; drain pasta.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in oil. Add anchovies and garlic; cook, stirring, just until anchovies break down and garlic turns golden, about 30 seconds. Add zucchini; season with salt and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is very tender, about 5 minutes. Add pasta and 1 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced and slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheese and mint. Add more pasta water if needed, a few tablespoons at a time, until sauce evenly coats pasta. Serve, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with more mint, pepper flakes, and cheese.