Pea Ricotta Stuffed Courgettes Recipes

STUFFED COURGETTE ROLLS

Steps:

• Slice the courgettes lengthways, using a swivel vegetable peeler - you'll need 24 long strips. Drizzle some of the olive oil and balsamic over two large plates and lay the strips flat, trying not to overlap. Sprinkle with more oil and balsamic, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins. Can be prepared up to 6 hrs ahead.
• Mix the ricotta with lemon juice and seasoning to taste, then mix in the basil and pine nuts. Place 1 tsp of the ricotta mixture onto one end of a courgette strip and roll up. Repeat until you have used up all the filling. Arrange rolls upright on a plate and grind over some black pepper. Drizzle with a little more oil and balsamic vinegar to serve.

SMASHED PEAS AND RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• To a medium pot over medium heat, add oil, then butter and onion. Saute onion bits 2 minutes, then add frozen peas, raise heat a bit. Stir peas to heat them through and allow their water to evaporate. When peas are heated through, add ricotta and parsley to the pan and smash cheese together with the peas. Add lemon zest. Season mixture with salt and pepper and serve.

COURGETTE & RICOTTA PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the shallot and courgettes for 8 mins until softened. When they are just beginning to colour, add the garlic and cook for 2 mins more.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the water. Tip the pasta into the courgette pan with the basil, lemon zest, Parmesan and pine nuts. Season, dot over the ricotta and mix gently so that you don't break it up too much. Serve sprinkled with extra Parmesan, if you like.

COURGETTE & RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat half the olive oil in a frying pan. Cook the courgettes for 5 mins until golden around the edges, then remove from the pan and set aside. Mix the ricotta with the eggs, most of the basil, the nutmeg, Parmesan and garlic. Set aside.
• Unroll the pastry on a lightly floured surface - roll it out lightly to give an even surface. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and lay the pastry on top.
• Spread the pastry with the ricotta mix, leaving a border of 1cm around the edge, then press the courgette slices into the ricotta. Bring the pastry sides up over the edge of the filling and pinch so that none seeps out the sides.
• Bake for 30 mins until the tart is puffed up and golden. Serve warm, scattered with the remaining basil.