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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Pasta with Fried Courgettes: A Simple and Delicious Summer Favourite

Pasta with Fried Courgettes: A Simple and Delicious Summer Favourite

Enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavours of pasta tossed with crispy fried courgettes—a straightforward, tasty dish perfect for family lunches during the warmer months!

⏱️
Prep Time
about 50 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
around 25 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Budget-friendly
🗓️ Summer
4.5/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 320g spaghetti (or your favourite pasta)
  • 4 courgettes
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 50g grated Sicilian pecorino cheese
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
450 kcal
Protein
12 g
Fat
20 g
Carbohydrates
55 g
Fiber
4 g
Sugars
3 g
Sodium
400 mg

Pasta with fried courgettes is a classic Sicilian dish, ideal for laid-back summer lunches with family or friends. The fresh, tender courgettes blend beautifully with simple pasta, creating a harmony of flavours and aromas that evoke the Mediterranean sunshine. This recipe is a tribute to Sicily’s rich culinary heritage, where courgettes are plentiful in markets throughout the summer. Picture savouring this outdoors, beneath a leafy pergola, warmed by the sun and cooled by a gentle sea breeze. The fried courgettes add a delightful crunch and a sweet note, balanced perfectly by the salty sharpness of grated Sicilian pecorino cheese. Light and satisfying, this pasta is a wonderful vegetarian option that doesn’t compromise on flavour. While best enjoyed in summer when courgettes are at their freshest, the dish’s simplicity and authentic taste make it a great choice any time of year thanks to the year-round availability of courgettes.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Slice the courgettes into rounds and sprinkle generously with sea salt to draw out excess moisture.

  2. 2

    After about half an hour, rinse the courgettes, pat them dry thoroughly, then fry them in plenty of extra virgin olive oil until golden and crispy.

  3. 3

    Once fried, pour out the oil from the pan, gently soften a crushed garlic clove in the pan, then return the courgettes to infuse with that lovely garlicky aroma.

  4. 4

    Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, then toss through the courgettes, freshly ground black pepper and a good grating of pecorino.

  5. 5

    If you fancy, scatter over some toasted breadcrumbs fried lightly with garlic for an extra crunch.

  6. 6

    Serve the pasta with the fried courgettes piping hot.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a little extra kick, add a pinch of chilli flakes while frying the courgettes. Alternatively, stir in some chopped fresh mint for a refreshing twist.

📦 Storage

  • Keep leftovers refrigerated and use within 2 days.
  • Reheat gently in a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
  • Avoid freezing as the courgettes may lose their texture.

🍷 Pairing

This dish pairs beautifully with a Sicilian white wine like Grillo, whose crispness and fruity notes really highlight the flavours of the courgettes.

Give this lovely Sicilian-inspired pasta a go at home—its simple yet vibrant flavours are guaranteed to bring a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to your table. Perfect for sharing with your nearest and dearest, it’s the kind of comforting, fresh dish that everyone will return to again and again. Do have a try, and don’t forget to let me know how it turns out!

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