Orecchiette pasta with roasted zucchini and ajvar
A healthy mediterranean lunch in 20 minutes
Orecchiette pasta? What’s that unusual word? Don’t worry – Italians know best when it comes to creating the most delicious pasta dishes. Orecchiette is a traditional Italian pasta variety, and its name literally means “little ears” (from orecchia = ear, with the diminutive -ette). It originates from the Puglia region and is traditionally handmade from durum wheat flour and water –without eggs. Its shape is perfect for “catching” the sauce, which is why it’s often paired with vegetable, meat, or seafood dishes. If you’re looking for a meat-free lunch that comes together in just 20 minutes and brings a Mediterranean vibe to your table, this is your recipe! I roasted zucchini and mixed it with ajvar for the pasta. A light yet satisfying dish for health-conscious food lovers.
This pasta needs about 10-15 minutes of cooking time. While it boils, you can prepare the roasted zucchini with onion. Finally, just toss the cooked orecchiette with ajvar, and you’re done. If you like a little heat, go for the spicy version of ajvar.
If you’d like to try making homemade orecchiette, you can find a recipe here: >> Orecchiette, the Traditional “Little Ear” Pasta from Puglia
Tip: If you’d prefer something other than a meat-free lunch, you can add grilled sausage. Roast it together with the zucchini for extra flavor.
Legnépszerűbb:
Életmódváltó csomag
Ebben a tudáscsomagomban ahhoz szeretnék neked gyakorlati tanácsokat adni, hogy hogyan alakítsd ki te magad a saját, személyre szabott diétás étrendedet. Mindezt kínkeserves éhezés és bonyolult méricskélések nélkül. Ne feledd, a cél az, hogy egy olyan étrended legyen, amit hosszú távon, könnyedén be is tudsz tartani, mert a zsírpárnáktól való tartós megszabaduláshoz idő kell!
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Orecchiette pasta with roasted zucchini and ajvar
Ingredients
- 160 g orecchiette pasta (fusilli is also good as a substitute)
- 320 g zucchini (1 large zucchini)
- 70 g red onion (1 medium-sized red onion)
- 120 g mild ajvar (or go for the spicy version if you like some heat)
- 100 g light mini mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt
- ground black pepper
- dried, crumbled oregano
- dried, crumbled basil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the instructions on the packet until al dente. While the pasta is cooking (10-15 minutes), prepare the fried courgette.
- Cut one onion in half, then slice it.Cut off the zucchini stems, wash them, and cut them lengthwise into three pieces. You will have three long slices. Cut these into strips. Salt the zucchini strips and sprinkle with crumbled basil and oregano. You can also add a little freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together.
- Pour a little olive oil into a high-sided frying pan. Add the onion and sauté. Add the zucchini. Fry over high heat until golden brown. Taste to make sure it is spicy enough. If necessary, season with salt.
- Meanwhile, when the pasta is cooked, drain it and immediately mix it with the fried zucchini. Add the ajvar and mix thoroughly.Tip: Pour a deciliter of pasta cooking water into the ajvar and add it to the mixture, as this will make the pasta juicier.
- When serving, top with half a mini mozzarella ball.
