Zucchini And Fresh Mint Recipes

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve about 1 1/4 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toss until toasted, 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon mint, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the pancetta. Cook until the pancetta is crisp around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the red onion and cook until it starts softening, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, add the zucchini and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and cook until the zucchini is tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the skillet. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on top and toss, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove the skillet from the heat; add the cheese and the remaining 1 tablespoon mint and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Top with the seasoned breadcrumbs.

ZUCCHINI RIBBONS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Using a sharp-shaped vegetable peeler, peel zucchini lengthwise. To cut ribbons, hold the zucchini in one hand and peeler in the other, peel long, wide strips lengthwise. Once it becomes hard to handle, place zucchini, cut side down, on board; continue peeling. Transfer to a large bowl; toss with coarse salt. Let sit until zucchini releases some of its liquid, about 10 minutes. Pour off accumulated liquid; blot zucchini dry with paper towels.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice and olive oil; season with salt and ground pepper. Pour mixture over zucchini. Add mint leaves and red onion; toss gently, and serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI WITH MINT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat 2 large roasting pans in the oven for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss the zucchini with the olive oil and crushed red pepper.
• Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Spread the zucchini on the hot pans and roast for 30 minutes without stirring, until the rounds are tender and their bottom are golden.
• Transfer to a platter, garnish with mint and serve.

ZUCCHINI AND FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to BROIL setting.
• Cut the zucchini in half crosswise, then cut into 1/2" slices, lengthwise.
• In large serving bowl, place the mint and green onion.
• In separate small glass bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and stir well.
• On a baking sheet place the zucchini so that they do not overlap. Baste the zucchini slices with some of the dressing.
• Broil for about 3-4 minutes or until golden.
• Turn zucchini slices over, baste with more dressing and broil another 2-3 minutes or until brown and crispy.
• Watch carefully to make sure the zucchini does not burn!
• Toss the cooked zucchini slices gently with the mint and green onions. Season to taste with salt, pepper and additional dressing. Serve warm.

MARINATED ZUCCHINI WITH MINT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. On two large rimmed baking sheets, toss zucchini with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until zucchini are tender and undersides are browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• On a serving plate, sprinkle zucchini with minced garlic and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and white-wine vinegar. Let stand 1 hour (or refrigerate, up to overnight; bring to room temperature before serving). To serve, sprinkle with torn mint leaves.

ZUCCHINI WITH BASIL OIL AND MINT

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the zucchini and blanch for 45 seconds. Drain and immediately place under cold running water until cool. Drain again and pat dry. Place zucchini in a bowl and toss with the basil oil, lime juice, mint, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Can be served cold or at room temperature.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI WITH BLACK OLIVES AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Pit and thinly slice olives. Cut zucchini diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices and in a bowl toss with oil and salt and pepper to taste.
• Grill zucchini, in batches if necessary, on a rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly charred and just tender. (Alternatively, zucchini may be grilled in a hot well-seasoned heavy ridged grill pan over moderately high heat.) Transfer zucchini to bowl and toss with olives, mint, and lemon juice.

ZUCCHINI AND TOMATOES WITH MINT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. 3Stir in tomatoes with juice, capers, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Add zucchini and cook, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove lid, then boil, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint.

ZUCCHINI WITH VINEGAR AND MINT

Steps:

• Heat oil and butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then cook zucchini, undisturbed, until undersides are golden brown, about 8 minutes. Turn over and cook until undersides are golden brown, about 6 minutes.
• Add vinegar and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, shaking skillet, until vinegar has evaporated. Remove from heat; crumble in mint. Add 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss.

RICE NOODLES WITH ZUCCHINI, TOMATOES AND FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, place the rice sticks in a large bowl, and cover with hot water. Let sit 20 minutes, until pliable. Drain and cut the noodles in half, into roughly 6- to 8-inch lengths, with kitchen scissors.
• While the rice sticks are soaking, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the zucchini. Cook, stirring, until the zucchini begins to soften and the skin becomes bright green, about three minutes. Add the tomatoes with juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 6 to 10 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes have begun to break down. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasonings, and set aside.
• When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the rice sticks. Boil one minute and drain. Toss with the zucchini and tomato mixture, the remaining olive oil and the mint. Serve, passing the cheese for people to sprinkle on at the table.