Zucchini And Fresh Mint Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet, and add the zucchini. Cook, stirring or shaking the pan, until the zucchini is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add the sugar, and stir in the vinegar, lemon zest and mint. Remove from the heat, and keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta. Cook al dente, following the timing instructions on the package. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to the zucchini, then drain the pasta and toss with the zucchini. Serve, passing the cheese at the table for sprinkling.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve about 1 1/4 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toss until toasted, 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon mint, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the pancetta. Cook until the pancetta is crisp around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the red onion and cook until it starts softening, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, add the zucchini and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and cook until the zucchini is tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the skillet. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on top and toss, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove the skillet from the heat; add the cheese and the remaining 1 tablespoon mint and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Top with the seasoned breadcrumbs.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. On two large rimmed baking sheets, toss zucchini with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until zucchini are tender and undersides are browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• On a serving plate, sprinkle zucchini with minced garlic and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and white-wine vinegar. Let stand 1 hour (or refrigerate, up to overnight; bring to room temperature before serving). To serve, sprinkle with torn mint leaves.

Steps:

• Place the water in the bottom of a saucepan fitted with a steamer and bring to a boil. Place the zucchini in the steamer, set over the boiling water, cover and steam 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Do not drain the steaming water.
• Place half the zucchini in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, add 3/4 teaspoons salt, and puree until smooth. Add half the steaming water and pulse until smooth. Scrape into a bowl, and repeat with the remaining zucchini and steaming water, and another 3/4 teaspoon salt. Scrape into the bowl with the first batch. Whisk in the yogurt, the chopped mint, pepper, lemon juice, and optional garlic. Taste and adjust salt. Chill, either in the refrigerator or in an ice bath.
• Strain the cold soup through a medium strainer into a bowl. Use a rubber spatula to press the soup against the strainer and to scrape the soup off the outside of the strainer, to extract maximum flavor and to get as much soup through as you can.
• Toss the thinly sliced zucchini garnish with a generous pinch of salt and place in a strainer set over a bowl, or in the sink. Let sit for 15 minutes. The zucchini will soften. Rinse and pat dry. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with several slices of zucchini and a sprinkle of slivered mint leaves.

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Cut zucchini into thin lengthwise planks; brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Arrange on grate without crowding.
• Grill until tender and lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed plate.
• Stir together tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and mint in a bowl. Smash some of the tomatoes to release their juices. Stir once more and spoon over zucchini.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, place the rice sticks in a large bowl, and cover with hot water. Let sit 20 minutes, until pliable. Drain and cut the noodles in half, into roughly 6- to 8-inch lengths, with kitchen scissors.
• While the rice sticks are soaking, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the zucchini. Cook, stirring, until the zucchini begins to soften and the skin becomes bright green, about three minutes. Add the tomatoes with juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 6 to 10 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes have begun to break down. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasonings, and set aside.
• When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the rice sticks. Boil one minute and drain. Toss with the zucchini and tomato mixture, the remaining olive oil and the mint. Serve, passing the cheese for people to sprinkle on at the table.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. 3Stir in tomatoes with juice, capers, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Add zucchini and cook, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove lid, then boil, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to BROIL setting.
• Cut the zucchini in half crosswise, then cut into 1/2" slices, lengthwise.
• In large serving bowl, place the mint and green onion.
• In separate small glass bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and stir well.
• On a baking sheet place the zucchini so that they do not overlap. Baste the zucchini slices with some of the dressing.
• Broil for about 3-4 minutes or until golden.
• Turn zucchini slices over, baste with more dressing and broil another 2-3 minutes or until brown and crispy.
• Watch carefully to make sure the zucchini does not burn!
• Toss the cooked zucchini slices gently with the mint and green onions. Season to taste with salt, pepper and additional dressing. Serve warm.