Spaghetti alla Nerano Recipe (Fried Zucchini Pasta)

Name: Spaghetti alla Nerano Recipe (Fried Zucchini Pasta)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 -6 servings
Ingredients: 400 grams Spaghetti; 5 small fresh zucchini; ¼ cup Parmigiano Cheese; 1 cup Provolone cheese; ¼ cup fresh basil; 2 garlic cloves; reserved pasta water; Salt for pasta water; salt and pepper to taste; Oil for frying + 4 tablespoons for cooking

User Reviews

5.0

12 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
4 -6 servings
Calories
663 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Italian

Spaghetti alla Nerano Recipe (Fried Zucchini Pasta)

Kristin Morrison

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Spaghetti alla Nerano Recipe (Fried Zucchini Pasta)- lightly fried zucchini nestled in creamy provolone and parmigiano cheese-covered spaghetti is a summertime love language.

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Ingredients

Servings

400 grams Spaghetti or pasta of choice
5 small fresh zucchini thinly sliced (or 3 large zucchini)
¼ cup Parmigiano Cheese freshly grated
1 cup Provolone cheese freshly grated
¼ cup fresh basil torn by hand
2 garlic cloves whole
reserved pasta water
Salt for pasta water
salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying + 4 tablespoons for cooking olive oil or sunflower oil

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Instructions

Thinly slice the zucchini with a mandoline or sharp knife. Set out a plate lined with paper towels and set it aside.
Finely grate the provolone and parmigiano cheese. Set the grated cheese aside.
In a deep pan or skillet, add the oil and ensure it is very hot before adding the zucchini. Fry the zucchini in batches in plenty of hot olive oil until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on a paper towel, and sprinkle the zucchini with torn basil leaves and salt.
In a frying pan, on medium heat, sauté the garlic cloves in a pan with 4 tablespoons of oil (about 1 minute). Remove the garlic and add the fried zucchini. Reserve a few sliced zucchini for garnish. Turn off the heat.
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of water. Bring it to a boil and salt generously. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain once al dente, setting aside 3/4 cup pasta cooking water.
Add the drained spaghetti, half of the reserved pasta cooking water, and half the provolone to the pan with zucchini in the hot pan. Stir continuously as you add the rest of the pasta cooking water, the remaining provolone, and parmigiano cheese, mixing until it forms a creamy sauce- this may take a couple of minutes of stirring. If needed, turn the heat to low to warm up the cheese a bit.
Serve immediately with a generous amount of freshly ground pepper, extra cheese, and a few fried zucchini slices on top.

Notes

Top tips
Use high-quality ingredients: The key to making a great Spaghetti alla Nerano is to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ripe zucchini, and fresh basil.
Use high-quality ingredients: The key to making a great Spaghetti alla Nerano is to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ripe zucchini, and fresh basil.
Pasta quality: Use spaghetti or linguine pasta for this dish, as they are the traditional choices. Cook the pasta al dente with a slight bite, then finish cooking in the pan with the zucchini and cheese.
Pasta quality: Use spaghetti or linguine pasta for this dish, as they are the traditional choices. Cook the pasta al dente with a slight bite, then finish cooking in the pan with the zucchini and cheese.
Fry the zucchini properly: To get its crispy texture cut thin slices of zucchini approximately all the same size and fry it until golden brown. I highly recommend using a mandoline.
Fry the zucchini properly: To get its crispy texture cut thin slices of zucchini approximately all the same size and fry it until golden brown. I highly recommend using a mandoline.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 663kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 27mg (9%) Sodium 358mg (15%) Potassium 670mg (19%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 713IU (14%) Vitamin C 27mg (30%) Calcium 374mg (37%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4-6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 663 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	663kcal	33%
Carbohydrates	81g	27%
Protein	26g	52%
Fat	26g	40%
Saturated Fat	9g	45%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g	12%
Monounsaturated Fat	13g	65%
Cholesterol	27mg	9%
Sodium	358mg	15%
Potassium	670mg	14%
Fiber	5g	20%
Sugar	7g	14%
Vitamin A	713IU	14%
Vitamin C	27mg	30%
Calcium	374mg	37%
Iron	2mg	11%