Caramelized courgette pasta

Ingredients
- 350 g zucchini (courgette)
- 100 g (3.5 oz) pasta
- 1 lemon (zest + juice)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 10–15 fresh basil leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Utensils
- Cheese grater
- Thin cloth or clean towel
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Large pot for pasta
Information
Cost: $
Preparation time: 50 minutes (includes draining time)
Yield: 2 servings (200g each)
Preparation Method
- Prep zucchini: Grate zucchini using the large holes of a cheese grater. Place in a cloth with a pinch of salt, mix, then set the cloth inside a bowl for 30 minutes.
- Drain liquid: After resting, squeeze zucchini firmly to remove excess water, collecting the green juice in the bowl. Reserve juice for later.
- Cook zucchini: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown (about 5–8 minutes). If too dry, add a splash of pasta water.
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Combine: Add pasta to skillet with zucchini. Pour in ~60 ml (¼ cup) reserved zucchini juice and a splash of pasta water. Toss until a sauce forms.
- Finish: Add zest of ½ lemon, chopped basil, and juice of ½ lemon. Toss well. Stir in butter until melted. Adjust salt or lemon to taste.
- Serve: Plate immediately, garnished with extra basil if desired.