Marinated Summer Squash With Hazelnuts And Ricotta Recipes

MARINATED SUMMER SQUASH WITH HAZELNUTS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss squash and 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt in a colander; set over a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Toss hazelnuts and 1 Tbsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, shaking occasionally, until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Let cool; crush into large pieces with a measuring cup or glass.
• Smack 3 mint sprigs against your cutting board a few times to release their flavor; mix in a large bowl with garlic, vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and 2 Tbsp. oil; set dressing aside.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high until shimmering. Arrange squash cut side down in skillet, breaking into smaller pieces if needed in order to fit in a single layer, and cook, moving around in pan to ensure even browning, until golden brown on cut side, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover (if you don't have a lid use a baking sheet), and continue to cook until very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
• Cut squash into 2" pieces and toss in reserved dressing to coat; season with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, 15 minutes. Pluck out mint sprigs; discard.
• Meanwhile, zest lemon half into a small bowl, mix in ricotta and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil; season with kosher salt. Hang on to that lemon.
• Spread lemon ricotta over platter. Top with squash and their juices. Squeeze reserved lemon over. Pull leaves from remaining mint sprigs (you want about 1/4 cup). Scatter mint and hazelnuts over squash. Drizzle generously with oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with toast.

RICOTTA, SQUASH AND HONEY FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Stir together the ricotta with a large pinch of salt and few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with oil. Toss together the squash and zucchini slices, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Grill the vegetables, turning once, until nicely marked and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to the large bowl and toss with the juice of one of the lemon halves.
• Brush the tops of the flatbreads with the remaining tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread a quarter of the ricotta over each flatbread. Divide the grilled vegetables among the flatbreads. Transfer the flatbreads to the grill, cover and cook until the bottoms are slightly charred and crisp in spots and the ricotta is warm, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove to serving plates and top each with a drizzle of oil, a squeeze of the other lemon half, some lemon zest and a drizzle of honey. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes, then top with the fresh herbs.

MARINATED ZUCCHINI AND SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and thyme in a large bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the marinade into a small bowl. Cover and set aside. Add the zucchini and yellow squash to the remaining marinade in the large bowl and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and marinate at room temperature at least 3 hours or cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.
• Prepare the barbecue for medium-high heat. Grill the vegetables until they are crisp-tender and brown, turning occasionally, about 8 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a platter. Drizzle with the reserved marinade and serve hot or at room temperature.

SUMMER SQUASH 'PASTA' WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel one strip off of the first squash, lengthwise. Discard first strip (since it's all skin). Rotating the squash, continue peeling the squash so each strip has a thin sliver of skin. Once there is no skin left, use the peeler to slice around the remainder of the squash until you hit the seeds. Repeat with other two squashes.
• In a large pan over medium heat, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Once the garlic starts to turn golden, add the slivers of squash and a dash of salt and pepper. Using tongs, toss to coat and drizzle a little more oil if the squash looks dry. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the slivers start to wilt. At this point, add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat and immediately stir in ricotta and fresh basil. Use the tongs to work the ricotta into a sauce, ensuring each strand of squash is coated.
• Serve immediately or at room temperature.

SUMMER-SQUASH ROLLS WITH HERBED RICOTTA, ARUGULA, AND TOASTED-HAZELNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss squash ribbons with 2 tablespoons oil; arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Roast just until tender, about 8 minutes. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine shallot and vinegar; let stand 15 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup oil and hazelnuts; season with salt and pepper.
• In a bowl, combine ricotta, herbs, Pecorino Romano, and lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Place 3 arugula leaves crosswise on one end of each squash ribbon. Top with about 1 1/2 tablespoons ricotta filling. Roll squash up to create a little bundle, and place, seamside down, on a platter. Repeat with remaining squash, arugula, and filling. Serve, drizzled with vinaigrette.