Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Pasta with King Prawns and Courgette Flowers
Discover the delightful flavours of Sicilian summer with this pasta dish featuring tender king prawns and delicate courgette flowers.
📖 What is it
Discover the delightful flavours of Sicilian summer with this pasta dish featuring tender king prawns and delicate courgette flowers.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 400g pasta of your choice
- ✓ 400g peeled king prawns
- ✓ 2 cloves of Nubia red garlic
- ✓ 10 fresh courgette flowers
- ✓ 1 red chilli
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil, to taste
- ✓ salt, to taste
📊 Nutritional Information
Dive into the vibrant tastes of a Sicilian summer with this pasta tossed with king prawns and courgette flowers. The gentle sweetness of the prawns pairs beautifully with the light, floral notes of the courgette blossoms, while garlic and a hint of chilli add warmth and a subtle kick to every mouthful. It’s a simple yet elegant first course that truly honours the island’s culinary heritage.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Peel the garlic, remove the green shoot, and finely chop it. Slice the chilli into rings and gently fry it in a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan.
- 2
Add the washed courgette flowers, removing the stamens, and roughly chop them. Let them cook for a few minutes, adding a little warm water or vegetable stock to keep things moist.
- 3
Stir in the king prawns and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn a lovely pink.
- 4
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and add it straight into the pan with the sauce.
- 5
Drizzle with a little extra olive oil, toss gently over a low heat for a couple of minutes, then serve immediately.
- 6
Garnish with a few whole courgette flowers and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if you like.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a touch of freshness, toss in some halved cherry tomatoes during cooking to balance the sweetness with a hint of acidity.
- •
Brighten the dish with a grating of unwaxed lemon zest for a fragrant citrus note.
- •
For a deeper, more intense flavour, sprinkle a little grated tuna bottarga over the pasta just before serving.
- •
If you want a richer version, swap the king prawns for Sicilian red prawns, which are meatier and more flavourful.
- •
For a vegetarian twist, leave out the prawns and add marinated tofu cubes or crispy chickpeas to keep the protein content up.
- •
Use a wide frying pan to toss the pasta, ensuring all the ingredients meld beautifully without overpowering the delicate courgette flowers.
- •
To enhance the umami, lightly toast the prawns before adding them to the sauce for a richer aroma.
- •
For a vegan option, replace the prawns with sautéed chestnut mushrooms and use good quality extra virgin olive oil to maintain the dish’s richness.
- •
The secret to this dish lies in its lightness: just a handful of fresh, seasonal ingredients cooked with care to bring out Sicily’s authentic flavours.
📦 Storage
- • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, ideally eating within 24 hours to preserve freshness and flavour.
- • When reheating, warm the pasta gently in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to restore its softness and aroma.
- • Avoid microwaving as it can spoil the delicate texture of the courgette flowers and prawns.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this pasta with a Sicilian white wine such as Etna Bianco Superiore, whose mineral freshness complements the sweetness of the prawns and the subtlety of the courgette flowers. Alternatively, a Sicilian Grillo offers fruity notes and a crisp acidity that balance the dish beautifully. If you prefer wines from elsewhere, a Ligurian Vermentino or a Friulian Sauvignon Blanc are excellent choices for their lively, herbaceous character.
Cooking this pasta with king prawns and courgette flowers is like bringing a little piece of Sicily right into your kitchen. It’s a dish that’s light yet full of character, perfect for those who appreciate Mediterranean flavours at their freshest. I warmly encourage you to give it a go and share this lovely taste of tradition with your nearest and dearest — it’s sure to brighten up any meal and create wonderful memories around the table.
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