Who doesn’t love pasta? I’ve never heard anyone say they dislike pasta, or Italian food for that matter. I don’t know a whole lot about Italian cuisine but I do know that I love it. I consider pasta one of my comfort foods and a basic meal that we always have ingredients for. It can be prepare in no time and one meal that is pretty hard to mess up. Well, just don’t over cook the pasta noodles and you’ll be off to a great start. I didn’t grow up eating pasta, or Italian food, so the only times that I got to eat it was out in restaurants. Of course pasta became a favorite and what I ordered when we went out for Italian. As good as the Italian food was in the states it’s nothing compared to eating in Italy. I’ll never forget sitting on a quiet sidewalk cafe in Florence taking that first bite of ravioli. Simply Wow! Then that trip to Rimini with the simple yet heavenly pasta with clams. Oh yeah both cities are also ancient magical places, I didn’t just eat pasta….Okay maybe I did.
When it comes to pasta I like it simple. In my personal preference I rate simple pastas tossed with just olive oil first, then tomato sauce pastas, and last preference are cream based pastas. Now that spring is here and with summer on the way, simple and light pastas are what I crave over the others. You can toss in some fresh seasonal vegetables, a bruschetta on the side, serve a light wine and you’ve got yourself a fabulous meal that is ready in about 30-45 minutes. I came up with this recipe a couple of weeks ago when I was feeling both lazy and uninspired. My husband and I loved the pasta so much that I’ve made it several times already. I hope you guys enjoy the recipe and remember it can be altered to your personal taste.
* I’d also like to thank Saverio from Ariosto (http://www.ariosto.it/ ) spices for sending me the fantastic selection of spices to add to my cooking. They smell wonderful and taste fantastic. Plus I love that they don’t have MSG. Grazie Ariosto! *
Spicy Spaghetti with grated Zucchini
Ingredients:
1 large zucchini, grated
4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
1 tsp. Ariosto Garlic Chile spice ( Aglio e peperoncino)
1 pack of spaghetti (or other pasta if you like)
1 tbsp. (evoo) olive oil, good quality
ground black pepper, to taste
cherry tomatoes, halved
arugula or rocket dandelion greens, to taste
extra olive oil to coat pasta
1. Heat the water for the pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and coat with olive oil, sprinkle some salt and ground black pepper for extra flavor.
2. While the pasta is cooking : Heat oil and over low heat saute garlic for 2 minute, do not allow to burn or turn golden. Then add the shredded zucchini, sprinkle salt, pepper and Ariosto spice. Stir often to prevent burning, allow to saute for 5 more minutes. Add the zucchini to the pasta and toss until the zucchini is well distributed. Please notice the zucchini will tend to clump together so you’ll have to keep separating it to better distribute it through the pasta. You could also just grate and add the zucchini without cooking but I prefer to cook it first. Add the tomato halves, taste and adjust salt if necessary. Serve with fresh arugula or rocket greens on top or it can also be tossed in with the tomatoes.
I’d also like to tell you that my friends at The Ardent Epicure now have a phone App so please stop by and get all the details. http://www.theardentepicure.com/2011/04/announcement-weve-gone-mobile.html How exciting and congrats to the 3 of you!
My friend Gina’s (formerly from What’s For Dinner Across State Lines) new site SPCookieQueen has a new Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001993222785) please make sure you update that and the new url, http://www.spcookiequeen.com/ .
I just loved the presentation Nancy!! It's amazing. Equally loved the recipe as well :)
This looks fab! Love the addition of arugula or dandelion greens. Plus that Ariosto paste looks like something I need to have in my kitchen!
I feel just the same way about pasta – it wasn't a regular on the family table when I was a child but I eat it several times a week now. Thanks for a great recipe. I've just planted seeds for this year's zucchini crop and will be making this lovely (quick) dish.
I love pasta and this dish looks so simple and delish! Just love a fast pasta fix!
@Paaka, Thanks!
@Fresh & Foodie, Thanks and it is a great spice to have.
@Hester Casey, How exciting to have fresh zucchini from your garden. Plus the blossoms also taste so good!
Oh Nancy, this is a beautiful bowl of pasta-it looks so simple yet so wonderful. I wish I could have sat down and had a bowl with you-that would be something nice…
p.s. I've been meaning to write you about my flakiness (smile), but writing to you about it seems even more flaky somehow. Anyway, I haven't been blogging lately due to business and couldn't get to your form (or anything else). Hope you forgive me…
XOXO,
Stella
This looks delicious, that garlic chilli mix looks interesting.
Mmm, that sounds so good. I've been craving nice light summery things lately too. I can't wait for fresh zucchini from my garden :D I will try this for sure. I've never seen that spice before though. Is it a mix of spices? What would you recommend as a replacement?
One more fabulous and delicious recipe! I love your elegant presentation and photos too!
I LOVE pasta (notice the block letters? hehe)! I happily eat them every single day. This pasta dish looks wonderful. I would be so happy if presented with a bowl piled high with this pasta dish. yum.
@Stella, Too funny I was just thinking about you today :) It's no problem at all, don't worry :) And I'ld love to sit down and enjoy this pasta together.
@Muppy, thanks you!
@Fooddooles, It will be great with homegrown zucchini. The spice is garlic and chile with Mediterranean salt. Check their website for more information and where you can get it.
@Sandra, Thanks!
@Michael, Hehe, yes I noticed. Now you have to make it and pile it high in a bowl.
I'm feeling lazy and uninspired and decided to make pasta tonight, too :) But with asparagus and peas – another great Spring-inspired combination. Your zucchini and arugula with those wonderful spices sounds fantastic – I'll try this next time I'm craving pasta!
flavourful colourful delicious spaghetti :)
Love this recipe and I can't say enough about your pictures.
I never thought of making pasta this way with grated zucchini, which is funny because I love zucchini grated and cooked with lots of garlic in olive oil. Adding that to pasta with tomatoes and greens is such a natural. I will have to try your pasta Nancy, another healthy and delicious recipe from you, thanks and have a nice weekend;-)
simple and refreshing pasta dish. beautiful.
This looks very very healthy! Your name's Nancy too? You and my mom share a name. :D
Looks so delicious and fab pics
Were you reading my mind or what, I had almost the same thing. He he I like mine best too with a light sauce during the Spring. I should have added some arugula to mine too. Hope you had a happy Monday. Frank's recipes are wonderful, I have a few saved.
-Gina-
looks just lovely. simple and elegant!
Simple yet delicious. This sounds like the pasta for me. We love zucchini around our house, so I love the addition of that vegetable. Thank you so much for sharing with me tonight. I always know I will find something that will make me smile! Your sweet and creative spirit brings me such happiness. I hope you have a great day tomorrow full of hope and love.
It used to be tomato-based pasta for me, then Aglio e olio, and cream-based the last. Now, cream-based is still last for me, but I am tied between tomato-based and Aglio e olio. The simplicity of garlic and extra virgin olive oil cannot be undermined!
I just love the presentation!!! I think I could learn a few things just by looking at your photos,but I'll go to the photo tutorial and steal some tips.
Oh, I love meals like this! Beautiful photos, too, Nancy~
That looks delicious
Oh goodness, this looks unbelievable! What a great combination of flavors.
Very lovely!
Hi Nancy! I feel like it's been so long since I last stopped by here. I know, I've been a bad friend. Glad to see you're still whipping up fantastic dishes though! This pasta looks so light and refreshing, and I love the side you have of crusty bread. Yummm! :)
Nancy this is just gorgeous…I love these types of pasta dishes best and like the idea of a bit of spiciness :) The photos are so beautiful, as always…
And thank you for mentioning our new app :)
Hugs
I simply love your dark background photos, they make the food just “pop” congrats on the huff and honest cooking (secretly wanting to submit something but, i get too nervous!lol) I love spicy pasta and cannot wait for the bread recipe!
sweetlife
What a beautiful dish Nancy! I'm with you, I love simple pastas the best – especially in the spring time! =)
This looks delicious! I love julienne zucchini cooked like this, and I know it's wonderful mixed with the pasta. Beautiful photos too!
Nancy, you make everything look so beautiful. even those people (if there are any) that don't like pasta would give yours a try. looks amazing.
thanks for sharing
Congrats!!! #1 at top 9!!!
Heavenly! This pasta looks so tasty! It is only 8:45am in the morning and I wish I was eating this right now :-)
Love it and congraulations on the top 9 Foodbuzz today!
YUM! I will HAVE to try this one gluten free style :)
Love the pasta dish with the dandelion leaves, Nancy. And the photo is AWESOME. I'll just have to check back for your bread recipe.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Fabulous photography and inspiring dishes…so glad I found you! The 30-ish minutes to dinner on the table is a big thumbs up, especially with wee ones tugging at your pants leg.
Nancy
what an incredible set of images, not to mention the perfect pasta and complete meal you have displayed for us…
Just incredible!
congrats on the #1 spot on the top 9!!!!!
Dennis
Amazing photo! You can smell the garlic, and hear the crunch of the bread :-). Beautiful website. I will be following it form now on. And I'm heading off to Suite 101, curious to see what's there.
Delicious! Gorgeous photos! Congrats on the top nine! Well deserved!
This is making me so hungry :) Congrats on top nine !
What a lovely dish! Pasta and zucchine were simply made for each other. And I'm sure a bit of spice is very nice.
Wow nice food, excellent photographs. Congrad's on top 9
wow – looks like something straight from a 5* Italian cookery book. Awesome stuff !
I love zucchini / courgettes. The last few years, I've grown so many (these things are prolific) and it becomes hard to know what to do with them. Chef Dennis came to the rescue last year and taught me how to cook the blossoms. I'm not so well prepared this year. Everything has got on top of me and my veg plot is overgrown and unplanted.
Your recipe is a delight – simple and a fresh taste of Italy and summer.
Your photos are beautiful and the presentation is perfect. We love pasta and will be having some this evening. What a perfect mix of delightful, fresh flavors. Have a great weekend!
Oh! I love the look of this recipe! I’m going to have to try making this too! :) Thanks for posting!
Thank you and enjoy!