Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

In an effort to try to start eating healthy and provide my family with a dinner that looks delish, I am going to attempt to make this recipe I found online!

Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

Eating less meat has been proven to reduce the risk of disease, curb obesity and has important environmental impacts, too. Will you join us in giving up meat, just for one day a week?

It’s that time of year when zucchini is everywhere, whether you’re growing it, getting a pile from the CSA or accidentally purchasing a crateful from the farmers’ market (we get it — they looked that good). But now you’re left wondering, what am I supposed to do with this stuff? The answer: Make this zucchini ribbon fettuccine. Ellie Krieger laces green and yellow squash ribbons throughout  whole wheat pasta before topping the whole dish with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs. Red pepper lends just enough kick to keep things interesting — and ensures that you’ll be making this bright dish again soon. Give your tomato sauce a break and enjoy the season’s bounty (or rather, find a reason to feel less guilty about all that green).

Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

3/4 pound whole-wheat fettuccine
2 medium green zucchini (about 1 pound)
2 medium yellow zucchini (about 1 pound)
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup grated (1-ounce) Parmesan (lightly packed), plus 2 tablespoons
1/3 cup finely minced parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
1 cup thinly sliced basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Salt

DIRECTIONS

In a large pasta pot, cook pasta “al dente”, 1 or 2 minutes less than the package instructions call for.

Drain.

Meanwhile, slice off ends of zucchini and discard. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline, or carefully with a sharp knife, slice zucchini into very thin (about 1/8-inch) slices, trying to keep some skin on each piece for color. Stack slices and cut in half lengthwise. Reserve zucchini ribbons in a large bowl.

In the pasta pot, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and translucent but not browned, about 1 minute. Add zucchini ribbons and 1/4 cup chicken broth, raise heat to medium-high and cook until zucchini is still somewhat firm but just cooked, about 3 minutes. Return pasta to pot and add remaining chicken stock; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until liquid has mostly absorbed into the pasta. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and toss to combine. Season with salt, to taste. Serve garnished with additional parsley, basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.