Embark on a culinary adventure with this tantalizing recipe for eggplant and zucchini pasta, a delightful combination of roasted vegetables, tender pasta, creamy feta cheese, and aromatic dill. This vegetarian dish is not only bursting with flavor, but also offers a vibrant medley of colors and textures, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Let's explore the ingredients and steps involved in preparing this Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH FETA AND DILL
This simple yet hearty weeknight pasta is packed with two whole pounds of vegetables. Meaty eggplant makes this vegetarian meal satisfying, while zucchini adds texture and a touch of natural sweetness. Since eggplant tends to absorb oil like a sponge, the key here is to sauté it slowly in a nonstick skillet until it softens and caramelizes without adding too much oil. The feta does double duty, adding bright tang to the dish and creating a creamy sauce. Fragrant dill is a natural pairing for eggplant and zucchini, but fresh parsley or basil would also be great.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories dinner, easy, quick, pastas, vegetables, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add eggplant, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons oil and zucchini to skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy, about 5 minutes.
- While the vegetables cook, boil the pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water and drain pasta. Return pasta and reserved cooking water to pot over medium heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 cup of cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and forms a sauce, about 2 minutes. Stir in zucchini, eggplant and dill; season with salt and pepper.
- Serve pasta in bowls and top with remaining cheese.
PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI
This timeless summer pasta dish was brought to The Times in 1991 by Pierre Franey in one of his 60-Minute Gourmet columns. Like so many of his dishes, it is at once elegant and easy, and no trouble to put together on a weeknight. Sauté the sliced eggplant and zucchini until golden while you make a quick sauce of canned crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and herbs in another pot. Throw everything together, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Toss with cooked pasta and a shower of Parmesan. Dig in.
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories dinner, easy, pastas, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a saucepan and add the garlic. Cook and stir without browning. Add the tomatoes, parsley, oregano, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to blend, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile cut off the ends of the eggplant and peel. Cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Cut the ends off the zucchini and slice into 1-inch thick slices.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet. When the oil is very hot, add the eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until nicely browned and tender. Add to the tomato sauce. Mix well and cook for 15 minutes.
- Drop the pasta into salted boiling water and cook to the desired degree of doneness. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
- Return the pasta to the pot, add the reserved cooking liquid, the vegetable and sauce mixture, basil and Parmesan cheese. Toss and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 609, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 91 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 1150 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams
ZUCCHINI FRITTERS WITH FETA AND DILL
In Greece, fritters are called keftedes and they vary from island to island and with the season. Keftedes can be made with tomatoes, chickpeas or even with ground meat, like the ones my mom serves at family gatherings. Zucchini is a great vegetable for keftedes. I grate the entire thing, seeds and all, salt it, wring it out, and then make the fritters. These keftedes can be served as an hors d'oeuvre or a starter course and they don't even need a sauce; just sprinkle with some salt and crumbled feta on top.
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 25m
Yield about 8 fritters
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a grater onto a clean kitchen towel. Sprinkle with the salt and let it rest while you gather and prep the remaining ingredients. Wrap the zucchini in the towel and wring as much liquid out of it as possible, discarding the liquid. In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini, feta, dill, mint, garlic, scallion and all but 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest. Stir in the flour and egg and mix until well combined.
- Add the oil to a large shallow pan, about 1/4 inch, or enough so that when all the fritters are in the pan, the oil comes halfway up their sides. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Form fritters by hand or using a 1/4-cup measure, and fry them in the hot oil in batches. Cook until the fritters are golden brown on each side, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Transfer the fritters to a serving platter and garnish each with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a small sprig of dill. Sprinkle the reserved lemon zest and some coarse sea salt over the serving platter. Serve hot or at room temperature.
ZUCCHINI STUFFED WITH FETA AND DILL
Steps:
- Trim and discard the stem ends from 2 of the zucchini, halve the 2 zucchini lengthwise, and with a melon-ball cutter scoop out the flesh, reserving it and leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Arrange the shells, cut sides up, on a steamer rack set over simmering water and steam them, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Invert the shells on paper towels to drain.
- Cut the remaining 2 zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a non-stick skillet cook the onions in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until they are softened, add the reserved flesh, chopped, and the zucchini slices, and sauté the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden. In a food processor blend the mixture with the Feta until the zucchini slices are chopped coarse and stir in the dill. Divide the filling among the 4 zucchini shells, arrange the stuffed zucchini in an oiled flameproof baking dish, and broil them under a preheated broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 3 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and deep golden.
Tips:
- Select firm and fresh vegetables: Choose eggplants and zucchinis that are firm to the touch and free from blemishes. Fresh vegetables will ensure the best flavor and texture in the dish.
- Use a large skillet or wok: A large skillet or wok will allow you to easily toss and cook the vegetables without overcrowding the pan.
- Cook the vegetables in batches: If you are using a large amount of vegetables, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.
- Season the vegetables well: Don't be afraid to season the vegetables generously with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. This will help bring out their natural flavors.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Overcooked vegetables will become mushy and lose their vibrant color. Aim to cook them until they are tender but still retain a slight crunch.
- Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is a key ingredient in this dish, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that is flavorful and crumbly.
- Add the feta cheese and dill at the end: Adding the feta cheese and dill at the end of the cooking process will help preserve their flavor and prevent them from becoming overcooked.
Conclusion:
Eggplant and zucchini pasta with feta and dill is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. The combination of roasted vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and fresh dill creates a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can easily make this dish at home and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own kitchen.
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