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Creamy Zucchini Vegetarian Carbonara served in a bowl with fresh herbs

Vegetarian Carbonara with Zucchini

A rich and creamy twist on traditional carbonara featuring fresh zucchini for a nutritious, vegetarian meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Vegetarian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 300-350 g zucchini, freshly vibrant and juicy
  • 300 g spaghetti the perfect base for this dish
  • 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil aromatic and light
  • 1 clove garlic, lightly smashed for a hint of savory depth
  • 2 eggs for creamy consistency
  • 1 egg yolk adds richness
  • 30 g grated Parmigiano or Pecorino for a bold, cheesy flavor
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • salt to taste
  • Additional Parmigiano and black pepper for serving, if desired
Optional Ingredients
  • a pinch dried mentuccia (or fresh if available) a delightful type of mint

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash the zucchini thoroughly and cut it into cubes or matchsticks, depending on your preference.
Sautéing
  1. In a sauté pan, drizzle in the olive oil and add the smashed garlic, cooking until golden.
  2. Add the chopped zucchini and allow it to cook, infusing the dish with aroma.
Seasoning
  1. Sprinkle in salt and mentuccia, cooking the zucchini until tender but still retaining some bite.
  2. Remove the garlic and set the zucchini aside.
Egg Mixture
  1. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and add grated cheese, salt, and pepper. Beat vigorously until creamy.
Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve some pasta water and drain the rest.
Combining
  1. Add the drained spaghetti to the sautéed zucchini and off the heat, pour the egg mixture over, tossing quickly.
  2. If the sauce appears too thick, add reserved pasta water until creamy.
Serving
  1. Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmigiano and black pepper, if desired.

Notes

For a creamier sauce, consider spiralizing the zucchini. Mix different cheeses for a deeper flavor profile. Adjust black pepper to taste.