Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Pasta with Courgette and Caper Cream: A Fresh Taste of the Mediterranean
Whip up this silky pasta with courgette and caper cream—a delightfully light yet flavourful dish that captures the essence of Sicilian summer.
📖 What is it
Whip up this silky pasta with courgette and caper cream—a delightfully light yet flavourful dish that captures the essence of Sicilian summer.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 320g pasta (spaghetti, rigatoni or penne)
- ✓ 5 small courgettes
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ 2 tablespoons salted capers, rinsed
- ✓ 4 anchovies in oil
- ✓ a small bunch of fresh parsley
- ✓ ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil, to taste
- ✓ salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ✓ grated semi-aged caciocavallo cheese, to serve
📊 Nutritional Information
Picture yourself on a sunny Sicilian terrace, surrounded by the scent of Mediterranean herbs and the warmth of the summer sun. This pasta with courgette and caper cream whisks you away on a sensory journey, combining the gentle sweetness of tender courgettes with the lively punch of capers and the rich depth of anchovies. It’s a dish that honours simplicity and the very heart of the Mediterranean in every delicious mouthful.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Chop the courgettes into small cubes and gently fry them in a pan with a good splash of extra virgin olive oil and two whole garlic cloves.
- 2
Add the rinsed capers and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3
Stir in the anchovies, finely chopped parsley and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for a few more minutes.
- 4
Blend the mixture with a hand blender until smooth and creamy.
- 5
Cook the pasta until just al dente in plenty of salted boiling water, drain, then toss it in the pan with the courgette cream.
- 6
Stir over a lively heat for a couple of minutes to coat the pasta well with the sauce.
- 7
Serve piping hot, generously sprinkled with grated caciocavallo and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For an even richer flavour, try grating a mature pecorino cheese over the top or opt for artisanal bronze-cut pasta for a more satisfying bite.
- •
If you prefer an ultra-smooth cream, push the sauce through a fine sieve after blending to catch any tiny courgette lumps.
- •
The star of this dish is its savoury punch—capers and anchovies bring a bold, aromatic character perfect for lovers of distinctive flavours.
- •
For a vegetarian twist, simply leave out the anchovies and add a handful of toasted chopped almonds for a lovely crunch and softer note.
- •
Swap the courgette base for a fresh broad bean cream for a vegan and gluten-free version that still packs that summer freshness.
- •
To enhance the cream’s depth, stir in a pinch of nutritional yeast flakes—it boosts the umami without dulling the other vibrant aromas.
- •
For a fully vegan dish, use nutritional yeast in place of caciocavallo and choose egg-free pasta, all while keeping that unforgettable Mediterranean charm.
- •
The key here is gentle cooking of the courgettes; keep the heat low to preserve their fresh colour and delicate flavour.
📦 Storage
- • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep well for up to two days.
- • Reheat gently in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a splash of water to prevent the courgette cream from thickening too much.
- • Avoid freezing this dish, as the creamy courgette sauce may lose its lovely smoothness and fresh flavour.
🍷 Pairing
A fabulous match is the Madonie Grillo, with its crisp freshness and fruity notes balancing the cream’s savoury tang for a delightful contrast.
Alternatively, a Catarratto from western Sicily offers a well-balanced white wine with mineral undertones that enhance the Mediterranean scents of the pasta.
Outside Sicily, a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is an excellent partner, providing a fresh, slightly herbal Italian white to complement the dish beautifully.
I urge you to give this vibrant Sicilian pasta a go—it’s a simple yet stunning way to bring a slice of the Mediterranean into your kitchen. Perfect for summer evenings, it invites you to gather loved ones around the table and share a meal full of sunshine and flavour. Have a lovely time cooking, and don’t forget to share your results—good food tastes even better when enjoyed with family and friends!
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