Growing up, a favorite dinner was zucchini spaghetti, which was a clever way of getting us kiddies to eat our vegetables. Zucchini grated into pasta and cheese was not only palatable, but popular. I still crave it to this day. But this day, with zucchini on my hands and spaghetti on my mind, the cupboard was bare. No pasta to be had. What was I to do?
I decided to make my zucchini my spaghetti, and tart up the creamy element with some lemon and creme fraiche. Naturally, what goes with cream is bacon, so some pancetta I had wrapped up in the freezer had its moment. For a little textural contrast, a handful of broadbeans, and I finished the dish with some lemon zest.
The result was a soft but snappy base of vegetables with a decidedly adult sauce. The saltiness of the pancetta, lemony cream of the sauce, and refreshing zucchini base was more than the sum of its parts. I'm not sure I would have liked it as a child, but I certainly ate it up now.
Zucchini "spaghetti" with broad beans, pancetta and lemon cream
1/4 C. pancetta cubes
1 zucchini, cut into long, thin strips
1/3 C. broad beans
2 T. creme fraiche
1 tsp. lemon juice
zest of 1/2 lemon
Trim excess fat off pancetta and cook in a splash of olive oil until any remaining fat is rendered and pancetta browns.
Add broad beans and zucchini strips and cook until they soften, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir through creme fraiche and lemon juice, then heat through. Stir through lemon zest. Add a grinding of black pepper and any extra salt to taste.
Serves 1
17 comments:
They look creamy and delicious...
Angie's Recipes
I love zucchini ribbons like this! And, your lemon cream sounds fantastic.
very tasty looking...nice job!
Wow! What a wonderful dish of spaghetti aka zucchini :)
Nice adaptation!
Thanks for the tip for keeping fruit "afloat"! :) Monica, another commenter said the same thing. I'll have to give it a try my next time around.
~ingrid
I love all the ingredients!!! looks fantastic.
I love all the ingredients!!! looks fantastic.
This looks so delicious I wouldn't miss the pasta! I love the little zing of the lemon.
I can imagine the pancetta and the creaminess will give the zucchini a burst of life. What a clever idea ... will try this on my unsuspecting kids! :)
This looks very summery and fresh. I have yet to try zucchini spaghetti, but my sister always talks about it. It's definitely on my list!
Zucchini spaghetti! What a great idea!
I love the idea of zucchini "spaghetti"! Delicious!
oh yummy, a perfect lunch indeed!
Yummy! That's a very creative way to use zucchini.
Delicious creation!!
That looks SO delicious! I love the way you changed it around a bit ~ and what a great combination of flavors. I'm all drooly now. *grin*
Cucinista, I've tagged you on my blog. I hope you don't mind. If you don't wish to participate, that's okay.
Post a Comment