Frittata Di Zucchine E Fiori Di Zucca Italian Zucchini Frittata Food

FRITTATA DI ZUCCHINE (ZUCCHINI FRITTATA)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler (the one in your oven, not the BBQ grill).
• In a small frying pan over medium heat, warm two tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Add the onion and dried thyme (if using it).
• Sauté until the onion wilts (about five minutes).
• Prepare the zucchini by cutting off the stems and blossom ends, cut them in half lengthwise, and then cut them crosswise into thin slices.
• Add the zucchini, cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally (until tender but not mushy- about 10 to 12 minutes).
• Just before the zucchini slices are done, add the fresh thyme (if using it) and the basil OR parsley.
• Place the mixture in a colander to cool and allow excess water to drain out (about ten minutes).
• In a bowl, beat the eggs lightly with a fork.
• Beat in the salt, pepper, and cheese.
• Add the drained cooled zucchini and onion mixture.
• Pour the remaining two tablespoons olive oil in a flameproof 12-inch skillet or omelet pan and place over medium heat.
• When it is hot enough to make the eggs sizzle, pour in the egg mixture, making sure the zucchini mixture is distributed evenly.
• Immediately reduce the heat to low and cook the frittata gently until it is set (about 12-15 minutes).
• Be careful not to overcook the eggs.
• To finish cooking, slide the pan under the preheated broiler six inches from the heat until the top is golden (about 1-2 minutes more).
• Use a spatula to loosen the edges from the pan, slide the frittata out onto a serving plate.
• Serve warm or cold, cut into wedges.

ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Start by crushing some garlic and heating it in some olive oil in a medium nonstick saute pan on the stove. While that is heating up, very thinly slice the zucchini on a mandoline. When the oil and garlic are heated, tear some basil into the pan and add all the sliced zucchini. Cook until the zucchini is tender, but not cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Blend eggs in a blender with a little bit of milk and some salt and pepper. Blend on the highest speed.
• Pour the egg mixture into saute pan and let it sit for 1 minute. When there isn't much loose egg left in the pan, grate some Parmesan on top and place pan in the broiler for 1 minute.
• Take pan out of broiler, let it cool and set in pan for 5 minutes. When cool invert a plate on top of pan and turn over. Slice and serve.

PASTA AI FIORI DI ZUCCA (PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS)

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water.
• Clean and rinse zucchini blossoms, removing the inner parts (stigma or anthers); coarsely chop the flowers.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until it begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir parsley, saffron, and reserved 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water into skillet; stir to combine. Add zucchini blossoms and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cornmeal into mixture and stir constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Gently fold penne pasta into zucchini blossom mixture and top with Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.