Thursday 30 April 2015

Simply Sensational Spaghetti!

Spaghetti con Zucchine, Peperone, Ricotta Salata, Olive & Timo
Spaghetti with Zucchini, Sweet Red Pepper, Salted Ricotta, Olives & Thyme


You can't go wrong with a nice, simple plate of spaghetti, right? Pasta is always good- it is always quick, it is always easy and it is (hopefully!) always delicious!

But does it always have to be a tomato, meat or cream sauce that goes with it? Absolutely not!

With just a few simple ingredients, I made this wonderful dish in just the time it took for the spaghetti to boil- and who can complain at a meal prepared in just 10 minutes? Not I and that's for sure!


 

There are a lot of great flavors going on here in this little plate! Mild and juicy zucchini, sweet red pepper, rich and savory olives, salty ricotta and aromatic thyme- all of these great flavors rounded off with a little salt, pepper, nutmeg and olive oil... typically Italian and totally delicious!

 

1 small round zucchini, 1 even smaller sweet red pointed pepper, 1 Spring onion, 9-10 black olives, some fresh thyme and then salt, pepper, nutmeg and salted ricotta... these were enough ingredients to prepare 2 portions of pasta... or to prepare 1 portion in my case and to dress it rather lavishly! But... you only live once!

 


Let me just point out the main reason that a lot of ingredients keep re-appearing in my recipes and posts- such as Spring onion, these small red peppers or even in this case, the round zucchini...

These are not particularly BETTER ingredients say, than regular onions, bell peppers or long zucchini- but their smaller size is simply more economic and sensible when cooking for one! It is that simple! So- absolutely, use your own judgement and feel free to use other, similar ingredients when you prepare these dishes! oh, absolutely! I do not aim to give people concrete recipes in any way- simply some inspiration and a few hints and tips to maybe encourage them to do their own thing! Because doing your own thing is what this is about!


 

So- whilst your water comes to the boil for the spaghetti- cut the zucchini into wedges and then the wedges into slices, remove the seeds from the pepper and cut that down the middle and then into slices too, slice up the Spring onion, halve the olives... and you're ready to go!

 

Whilst the spaghetti boils, start to fry all of the ingredients together in a little olive oil- add a little of the thyme from the beginning, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and fry until the zucchini begins to turn golden...

 

... it should only take around 5 minutes and should then look a little like this!

 

When the pasta has boiled for 5-6 minutes, pour off most of the water and then add to the frying pan with a little more fresh thyme and continue stirring and complete cooking along with the other ingredients for a further 2-3 minutes. Once all of the water has evaporated/cooked away, you are ready to add a last drizzle of olive oil and to serve it up!


Grate lightly with salted ricotta, add a last touch of freshly ground pepper... and simply enjoy!

 

No need to fuss or complicate things- with good flavors and ingredients on your side, you can't go far wrong! That is the beauty of Italian cooking!

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