Spaghetti alla Nerano

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 2 servings
  • Total: 30 min
  • Active: 30 min
A love letter to the Amalfi Coast, this dish takes fried zucchini and turns it into magic with basil and aged Provolone. Creamy, rich and humble – it's proof that the best things come from the simplest ingredients.
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Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil

3 medium zucchini (about 21 ounces), sliced into thin rounds

8 ounces spaghetti

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 cup freshly grated Provolone del Monaco or Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small bunch fresh basil, leaves torn, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add the zucchini and fry, turning halfway, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to a plate using a slotted spoon and mash slightly. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in the skillet.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook to just under al dente according to the package directions. Reserve about 3/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
  3. Set the reserved skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the garlic and cook briefly, 2 to 3 minutes, then discard. Add the reserved pasta water and half of the zucchini mash, then toss in the spaghetti. Off heat, add the Provolone, Parmigiano-Reggiano, remaining zucchini and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and toss to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the torn basil and more cheese.

Let's Get Cooking!

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tdarl

I made this for dinner last night and we loved it. It was delicious!

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