Carbonara with zucchini

We start preparing this delicious recipe by preparing pancetta, which will add a savory flavor to our dish. We take a deep pan and heat olive oil. Once the oil is well heated, we add small diced pancetta and fry it over medium heat, stirring constantly. We will notice how the pancetta begins to become crispy and take on a golden hue, which will contribute to the final aroma of the dish. This process takes about 5-7 minutes, and in the end, we remove the pancetta from the pan and set it aside.

In the same pan, we let the flavored oil from the pancetta remain, then we add the zucchini. It is important to choose fresh zucchini, which we wash well under cold water. After cleaning them, we cut them lengthwise into four equal parts, and then each part is cut into penne-shaped pieces to achieve a pleasant texture and attractive presentation. We let the zucchini cook in the pan for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and slightly browned.

Meanwhile, we prepare a creamy mixture of egg yolks, cheese, and sour cream. In a bowl, we beat the egg yolks with a fork, add grated cheese (preferably parmesan or pecorino), and sour cream, mixing well until we obtain a uniform composition. This cream will provide a rich flavor and bind all the ingredients deliciously.

When the zucchini are ready, we add the pancetta back to the pan, along with a pinch of freshly ground pepper and a few leaves of freshly chopped basil. We turn off the heat and let the pan cool slightly to avoid coagulating the egg yolks when we add them. After a few seconds, we pour the egg yolk, cheese, and sour cream mixture into the pan, stirring quickly to combine all the ingredients.

To achieve a creamy texture, it is recommended to also add a bit of the cooking water from the pasta, which will help bind the sauce. We mix all the ingredients well and ensure that the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Finally, we serve the dish warm, sprinkling additional grated cheese on top and a few leaves of basil for a fresh appearance. This recipe is not only easy to make but also extremely tasty, perfect for a family lunch or a special dinner. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: - grated cheese - 3-4 Italian zucchini (the small and thin ones) - 200 g pancetta - 50 ml sour cream - 2 egg yolks - olive oil - pepper - basil - 200 g penne pasta

 Tags:  oil sour cream zucchini cheese olives vegetarian recipes