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Torquato's Zucchini "Cigars"

3.8

(3)

Torquato Innocenti, who sells his just-harvested, still-prickly zucchini — with flowers attached, a sure sign of freshness — offered me simple advice for the vegetable. Roast them whole in a "puddle" of oil and serve with basil. I bought a bag of his smallest (cigar-size) zucchini, pan-roasted them until browned sprinkled them with chopped basil — and loved the results.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4

Ingredients

8 to 10 freshest possible cigar-size zucchini, trimmed
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
fine sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large heavy non-stick skillet combine zucchini and 1 tablespoon oil, shaking skillet to coat zucchini completely with oil. Cook zucchini over moderate heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until browned evenly, 20 to 25 minutes.

    Step 2

    Transfer zucchini to a platter and sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper. Drizzle zucchini with remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons oil and serve hot or at room temperature.

Cover of the cookbook Red, White, and Greens featuring rows of tomatoes, white onions, and broccoli rabe.
Reprinted with permission from Red, White, and Greens: The Italian Way With Vegetables, copyright 1996 by Faith Willinger. Buy the full book on Amazon.
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