Asparagus Zucchini Crudi Food

ASPARAGUS, PEA AND ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the potato, thyme sprigs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are well coated, 2 to 3 minutes more. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer.
• Add the asparagus, peas and zucchini and simmer until the potatoes and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer. Remove from the heat, discard the thyme and let cool at least 5 minutes. Stir in the basil and carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill the blender more than halfway full per batch).
• Reheat the soup if necessary and adjust the consistency and seasoning with additional water, salt and pepper.
• Serve hot sprinkled with asparagus tips, peas and thyme leaves.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS, ZUCCHINI, AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water; microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Spread zucchini, yellow squash, and grape tomatoes out on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic and sea salt.
• Roast in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Add asparagus and roast until vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 more minutes. Transfer vegetables to a serving bowl; squeeze lemon juice over the top and season with sea salt.

ASPARAGUS & ZUCCHINI CRUDI

Steps:

• Using vegetable peeler or dusty old mandoline, shave the zucchini into long thin ribbons. Thinly slice the asparagus on a diagonal (bias cut). Toss the slices together and place the salad in a serving bowl. (You can choose to briefly blanch the asparagus, but I like it crudi!).
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, the lemon juice, salt & freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir to combine and drizzle over the vegetables, tossing to coat.
• Garnish with the Pecorino shavings.
• Chill or serve room temperature.
• Preparation time includes 20 minutes hunting for the mandoline.
• You now speak Italian! Cioa!

GARBANZO BEAN AND ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• For the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until combined.
• For the Salad: Place the garbanzo beans, zucchini, corn, red onion, and lettuce in a large salad bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well. Garnish with the crumbled Parmesan cheese and serve.

ASPARAGUS AND ZUCCHINI CRUDI

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, shave the zucchini into long thin strips. Thinly slice the asparagus on a diagonal. Toss the slices together and place the salad in a serving bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and drizzle over the vegetables. Toss to coat. Garnish with the pecorino shavings. Serve.

ASPARAGUS & ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C; sauté onion and garlic in the olive oil and lemon juice until just softened; layer the vegetables in an ovenproof dish, sprinkling the rosemary (or your choice of herbs) and walnuts on top of your first layer of vegetables.
• Combine the eggs, cream, cheese and seasoning and pour over the vegetables.
• Bake for 40 minutes and serve with salad greens.

SLOW-COOKER ASPARAGUS AND ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

Steps:

• In a medium-size skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add the shallots, asparagus, and zucchini. Cook for a few minutes, just so the asparagus begins to be tender and the zucchini browns a bit. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Coat the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the cooled vegetables to the crock.
• In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan, and basil. Add some salt and a few turns of black pepper. Pour into the crock and stir to mix with the vegetables. Cover and cook on high for 60 to 70 minutes, until the frittata is set and the tip of a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not overcook or else the eggs will become too firm. Cut into 4 sections and lift out with a spatula to plates. Serve immediately.
• Substitute the asparagus with 1 (10-ounce) package defrosted frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and coarsely chopped, plus 1 cup frozen peas, thawed.
• Substitute the asparagus with 1/2 pound broccoli florets, chopped into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups).
• On top of the vegetables, make a layer of 1 to 2 cups diced ham, or 8 slices cooked center-cut bacon, crumbled, or 8 slices Canadian bacon, or 6 thin slices prosciutto, chopped.
• Add a top layer of thinly sliced mozzarella, fontina, white American, or provolone cheese.

ASPARAGUS AND ZUCCHINI SAUTé

Steps:

• Cut off stalk ends of asparagus and throw away. Cut off tips and reserve in bowl. Cut the remaining stalk in halves or thirds (your discretion).
• Slice the zucchini in half and then slice up in bite-size chunks.
• Melt the butter in a frying pan.
• Add finely chopped garlic, slice leeks and sauté until browned.
• Add mushrooms to the fry pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
• Add asparagus (except for tips) and zucchini to the fry pan.
• Add salt and fresh ground black pepper.
• Cover and simmer until tender; about 10 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and asparagus tips and cook for a further 5 minutes until the tomatoes are cooked but not mushy.
• Garnish with grated fresh parmesan cheese.