Zucchini Pesto Food

ROASTED ZUCCHINI & PESTO

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Toss zucchini with oil in a large bowl. Spread the zucchini on the preheated baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the zucchini and continue roasting until just tender, 7 to 9 minutes more. Return the zucchini to the bowl. Add pesto, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

PARMESAN PESTO ZUCCHINI STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Cut each zucchini in quarters lengthwise through the stem and then cut each quarter again in thirds lengthwise, making long skinny spears. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the pesto and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Place the parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until they are finely minced. Add the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse only until all the panko is moistened with oil. Pour the mixture onto a dinner plate.
• Dip the zucchini spears first into the pesto mixture, turning to coat completely, then place each one in the crumb mixture, pressing and turning to coat thickly. Arrange the sticks in rows on the prepared sheet pans.
• Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the crumbs have crisped to a crunchy golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with flaked sea salt and serve hot.

ZUCCHINI WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a layer of olive oil in a skillet over medium high. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the zucchini in an even layer, avoiding overlapping in the skillet (you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding!). Season with salt and pepper. When the zucchini begins to brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes, flip over and allow to brown on the other side, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the skillet to the serving plate.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the walnuts, basil, mint, Parmesan, vinegar and a pinch of crushed red pepper to the carafe of a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are combined but still chunky. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Drizzle the pesto on top of the zucchini. Top with additional Parmesan, fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes and serve!

ZUCCHINI PESTO

Steps:

• Blend basil, walnuts and garlic in processor until finely chopped. Add zucchini, Parmesan cheese and greed onion; process until coarsely chopped. Add oil. Using on/off turns, process until mixture is finely chopped. Season pesto to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of pesto and refrigerate.) Serve with assorted raw vegetables.

ZUCCHINI AND YELLOW SQUASH WITH PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor purée together basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, salt, lemon juice, and oil until smooth and season with pepper.
• With a mandoline or other manual slicer, cut zucchini and yellow squash lengthwise into very thin slices. Arrange slices in one layer, overlapping them slightly, on 2 large platters and drizzle pesto over slices. Chill zucchini and yellow squash, covered, at least 1 hour, to allow dressing to be absorbed, and up to 1 day.

(RAW) ANGEL-HAIR ZUCCHINI "PASTA" WITH FRESH PESTO

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler or a spiral vegetable slicer, slice the outer zucchini flesh into lenthwise strips, discaring any seeds.
• Stack the strips and then slice them into thinner "noodles".
• Place the zucchini noodles in a medium bowl and add chopped tomato, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
• Place all pesto ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, with just a few nuts visible for texture.
• Gently toss the zucchini and tomato mixture with just enough pesto to coat.
• Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Garnish with pine nuts and basil leaves and serve.

ROASTED ZUCCHINI & PESTO

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Preheat oven to 500 degree F.
• Toss zucchini with oil in a large bowl, add bread crumbs and toss. Spread the zucchini on the preheated baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the zucchini and continue roasting until just tender, 7 to 9 minutes more. Return the zucchini to the bowl. Add pesto, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add squash, zucchini, and onions; saute until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine pine nuts, salt, and pepper in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Add basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Continue to process until finely ground. Slowly add in olive oil until pesto reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve pesto over the warm vegetables. Top with tomatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH BASIL PESTO AND BACON

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Lay bacon slices on a large baking tray.
• Broil in the preheated oven until crispy, 9 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a large plate lined with absorbent kitchen paper and allow to cool and harden.
• Crumble the cooled bacon into smaller pieces and combine with pesto sauce.
• Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to cut zucchini into noodles, snipping midway to prevent them from getting too long.
• Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add zucchini and garlic and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add pesto-bacon mixture and heat for 2 minutes longer. Toss well so the noodles are evenly coated. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• Top with freshly grated Parmiggiano-Reggiano cheese so it can melt while the dish is still warm. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Top with arugula, but do not mix it in. Serve immediately.