Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant

What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.
Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant
What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.
Steps
- 1
For the zucchini cream: In a skillet, heat a swirl of olive oil and add a garlic clove. As soon as the garlic sizzles, add the zucchini (peeled, but save the peels!) cut into small cubes, a sprig of basil, a small ladle of water, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat. Make sure there is always some liquid, as you'll need to blend it later.
- 2
Blanch the zucchini peels, cut into strips, in a small pot of salted water for a few seconds, then cool them in cold water or ice.
- 3
Place the zucchini flesh in a container for an immersion blender. Blend until creamy. Add the zucchini peels, a handful of basil and mint leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and blend until smooth and creamy. It should be fluid (add a little water if needed). Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a cup and cover with plastic wrap.
- 4
Clean the calamari by removing the outer skin. Separate the tentacles and remove the eyes and beak. Slice the calamari lengthwise and remove any inedible parts. Rinse well, pat dry, and cut into strips lengthwise (don't worry—they'll shrink and curl up). Season with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, and add sprigs of rosemary, oregano, and thyme. Massage well and set aside.
- 5
Heat a skillet, and when hot, add the calamari with the herbs, without any added fat. Deglaze with vodka and sauté for no more than 2 minutes (the longer they cook, the tougher they get). Transfer to a plate and cover with plastic wrap (this keeps them moist and tender until cooled). Pour the released liquid back into the skillet for later use.
- 6
Wash the Piccadilly tomatoes well. Remove the stem end, then cut them into quarters lengthwise. Remove the seeds, then slice lengthwise again and cut into medium pieces. Place in a container with a pinch of salt and tilt the container so excess water drains off (discard this water). Add the Taggiasca olives and dress with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh oregano leaves.
- 7
Cut the eggplant into quarters and remove all the spongy part. Cut into medium cubes and fry in plenty of hot peanut oil until golden.
- 8
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water. A couple of minutes before it's done, transfer it to the skillet with the calamari juices. Toss to flavor, then continue cooking like risotto, adding a little pasta water at a time.
- 9
One minute before the pasta is done, add the zucchini cream and continue cooking, adding water as needed until the pasta is cooked (don't let it dry out, as the sauce tends to thicken). At the end, add the calamari and toss everything together.
- 10
Plate the pasta and top with the olives and raw tomato with oregano leaves. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!
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