Penne Alla Zucca Food

PENNE ALLA PUTTANESCA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta and the sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water, stir, and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes less than what the box advises. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by heating oil in a skillet over low heat. Rinse the anchovies and the capers under cold water to remove the salt, then soak in a small bowl of water for several minutes. Remove the pits from the olives by quickly smashing them with the side of a knife, then fillet the anchovies by removing the backbone (the longer they're soaked, the easier this will be). Add the anchovies, capers, garlic, olives, and parsley to the skillet, and cook until the anchovies are broken up and the garlic is lightly browned. Using a fork or your hands, break up the tomatoes in a mixing bowl and add to the skillet. Simmer sauce for 1-2 minutes, then check for seasoning (sauce will be naturally salty) and adjust with pepper.
• Assemble the dish: Perform the pasta "marriage ceremony" by reserving 1 cup of the pasta water and draining the rest. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the pasta water and puttanesca sauce into the pot. Cook over low heat, gently tossing the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes to allow it to marry with the sauce. The pasta should still be firm to the bite. Transfer to a platter or bowl, garnish with more chopped parsley, and serve.

PENNE ALLA PANNA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a skillet.
• On a high heat, quickly fry the ham or prosciutto until starting to brown, keep stirring it continuously to stop it from burning.
• Turn down to a low heat or if cooking on an electric hob turn it off, pour in 250 ml of cream.
• Add the cayenne pepper and stir in the parmesan.
• If the sauce seems really thick add some more cream, the pasta shouldn't be dry, but neither should it swim in sauce.
• Stir in the pasta and serve straight away.

PENNE WITH ZUCCA

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 2 Tbs. oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and anchovies. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften. Turn heat to high and add squash; toss for 5 minutes, or until tender and browned. Add salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Cook penne according to package directions; drain. Return squash to high heat; add penne, parsley and remaining oil, and toss for 1 minute. Divide among four warmed bowls; top with bread crumbs and cheese. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Saute the garlic and onions in 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until soft. Pour in the vodka, being careful if your stove has an open flame (remove the pan from the heat before adding). Cook and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the tomato puree. Stir the mixture until it's thoroughly combined, then reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, then turn heat to the lowest simmer possible. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the drained pasta into the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then sprinkle on more red pepper flakes if desired.

PENNE ALLA ZUCCA (JUST THE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F Cut Butternut Squash in half and put onto a rimmed baking sheet. Smear butter onto the squash and bake for 30 min. After the squash has finished roasting cut it into 1 inch cubes and reserve. Cut tomatoes in 6ths and reserve. Cut (don't mince) garlic cloves into small rounds. Heat a large pan on medium-high and put 1 tablespoon butter and the 3 tablespoon of olive oil in the pan. Just after the butter has melted put the sliced garlic cloves in and sauté for 2 min. Put the cubed squash into the pan and let cook until the undersides are brown, about 4 min. Add cream and tomatoes and let simmer for 3 min. Stir in cheese, 2 tablespoons of butter, and milk, simmer 1 min. Add basil and salt to taste. Serve over Penne