Francescas Zucchini Carpaccio Recipes

Steps:

• Using a sharp vegetable peeler, shave the zucchini lengthwise, creating very thin slices. Discard the first slice that is very dark green skin. Arrange the slices on a platter, overlapping the slices.
• In a small jar or bowl, place the lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover and shake well or whisk to blend. Pour the mixture evenly over the zucchini slices. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes, or for up to an hour.
• Use vegetable peeler to shave thin slices of Parmesan over the zucchini, and serve with baguette slices.

Steps:

• Slice zucchini lengthwise with a mandoline or chef's knife as thinly as you can, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place in a colander for 30 minutes to remove the excess moisture, tossing occasionally.
• Dry on paper towels and arrange the zucchini in layers in a shallow serving dish, adding slices of garlic between the layers. Drizzle with lemon juice and marinate, refrigerated, for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. If you have more than 2 layers, you may need to turn the zucchini upside down every 15 minutes to coat them evenly with the lemon juice.
• To serve, arrange a few slices of zucchini on each plate. (Remove and discard garlic slices as you go.) Drizzle with olive oil and top with nuts and/or herbs. If you wish, add a few drops of runny honey, a few raisins or some Parmesan shavings.

Steps:

• Slice the zucchini into paper-thin rounds on a mandoline or meat slicer, or with a 1-millimeter food-processor blade. Lay the slices on a large serving platter. Sprinkle the arugula over the zucchini. Drizzle with the oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Shave curls of Parmigiano directly over the platter to cover the zucchini and arugula. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Slice zucchini into paper-thin rounds either in a food processor fitted with a 1-mm. blade or with a mandoline or other hand-held slicing device. Arrange zucchini rounds in one layer, overlapping them slightly, on a large (about 8 by 12-inch) platter and sprinkle with arugula. Drizzle oil and vinegar over zucchini and season with salt and pepper. With a vegetable peeler shave curls of Parmesan on top.

Steps:

• Shingle the zucchini slices in a single overlapping layer on a platter. Dust with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a 3-count of olive oil and the lemon juice. Put that into the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to give the flavors a chance to get into the zucchini. Now scatter the leeks over. Sprinkle with the herbs. Garnish garnish with the ricotta cheese and mint leaves, if using; serve.

Steps:

• Peel 1 pound zucchini into ribbons with a vegetable peeler; spread them out on a platter.
• Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil and the juice of one lemon.
• Drizzle over zucchini ribbons; season with salt and pepper, and scatter shaved Parmesan over the top.

Steps:

• Cut zucchini diagonally into paper-thin slices with slicer. Arrange slices, overlapping slightly, in 1 layer on 4 plates.
• Make stacks of mint leaves and cut crosswise into very thin slivers, then sprinkle over zucchini.
• Whisk together oil and lemon juice in a small bowl, then drizzle over zucchini. Sprinkle with sea salt, pepper to taste, and pine nuts. Let stand 10 minutes to soften zucchini and allow flavors to develop.
• Just before serving, use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese to taste over zucchini, then sprinkle with zucchini blossoms and mint.
• *Available at specialty produce markets and some supermarkets. **Available at Asian markets, some cookware shops, and Uwajimaya (800-899-1928).