Zucchini With Chiles And Mint Food

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve about 1 1/4 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toss until toasted, 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon mint, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the pancetta. Cook until the pancetta is crisp around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the red onion and cook until it starts softening, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, add the zucchini and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and cook until the zucchini is tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the skillet. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on top and toss, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove the skillet from the heat; add the cheese and the remaining 1 tablespoon mint and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Top with the seasoned breadcrumbs.

TORN ZUCCHINI WITH MINT AND CALABRIAN CHILES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Combine onion and vinegar in a large bowl and let sit 10 minutes. Mix in sugar and a generous pinch of salt, then add chiles; set chile mixture aside.
• Toss zucchini on a rimmed baking sheet with 3 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Grill, turning halfway through, until steamy and tender within and charred all over, 12-16 minutes. Transfer back to baking sheet and let cool slightly.
• Tear zucchini into 1 1/2"-2" pieces and add to reserved chile mixture. Add remaining 1/4 cup oil and toss to coat; season with salt. Add mint and toss gently just to distribute. Let sit 5 minutes to allow flavors to come together.
• Transfer zucchini mixture to a platter with a slotted spoon; top with more mint.

ZUCCHINE SOTT'OLIO (ZUCCHINI PRESERVED IN OIL WITH HOT PEPPERS, GARLIC, AND MINT)

Steps:

• Cut the zucchini crosswise into 3-inch (8-centimeter) pieces. Cut each piece in half lengthwise, then cut out all the seeds and spongy pulp from the center. Slice each section crosswise 3?16 inch (41/2 millimeters) thick. (A mandoline or other manual vegetable slicer is helpful for this.)
• Make layers of sliced zucchini and salt in a large bowl, then toss well. Macerate for 12 hours to draw the water out of the zucchini. Drain the zucchini, then squeeze a handful at a time to remove excess water.
• Place the zucchini in a heavy nonreactive pot and add the vinegar and 1 cup (250 milliliters) water. The liquid should barely cover the zucchini.
• Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir to redistribute the zucchini, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the zucchini slices are cooked through but still whole, about 5 minutes. Do not allow them to break apart. Smaller zucchini will take less time.
• Drain the zucchini and put them in a large colander. Top them with a heavy weight, such as a pot filled with water, to squeeze out the liquid. Let the zucchini drain under the weight for 15 minutes.
• Lay several clean kitchen towels on a table covered with cardboard. Arrange the zucchini slices on the towels, spreading the slices apart. Let dry at room temperature until they feel a little leathery and are no longer damp, 24 to 48 hours. They will shrivel considerably.
• Place the zucchini in a bowl and toss with the mint, garlic, hot peppers, and the 1/2 cup (125 milliliters) olive oil. Taste for salt and let the mixture marinate at room temperature for a day.
• Transfer the zucchini to a 1-pint (1/2-liter) glass jar. Pack them in tightly, pushing them down with a fork or spoon to remove any air gaps. Top with olive oil so they are completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 weeks before sampling to give the zucchini time to absorb the seasonings.
• Bring them out of the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to serve them to allow the oil to liquefy. Return any leftover zucchini to the refrigerator, topping with oil so the zucchini remain completely submerged. If kept submerged in olive oil and refrigerated, the zucchini will last for up to 6 months.

ZUCCHINI WITH MINT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat 2 large roasting pans in the oven for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss the zucchini with the olive oil and crushed red pepper.
• Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Spread the zucchini on the hot pans and roast for 30 minutes without stirring, until the rounds are tender and their bottom are golden.
• Transfer to a platter, garnish with mint and serve.