For a richer flavor, consider adding a small knob of butter to the sauce along with the Parmesan cheese. If zucchini blossoms are not available, you can substitute with thinly sliced zucchini, though the flavor will be slightly different. To keep the zucchini blossoms fresh, store them in the refrigerator in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate or container. Adjust the amount of saffron to your preference; a little goes a long way. Serve with a crisp, dry white wine for a perfect summer meal.
Pasta ai Fiori di Zucca (Pasta with Zucchini Blossoms)
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PREP TIME15 mins
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COOK TIME35 mins
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TOTAL TIME50 mins
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SERVING4 People
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VIEWS9
Capture the essence of summer with this delicate pasta dish. Featuring the fleeting beauty of zucchini blossoms, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors, accented by fragrant saffron and fresh parsley.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate46 g
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Cholesterol2 mg
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Fiber3 g
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Protein9 g
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Saturated Fat2 g
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Sodium342 mg
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Sugar2 g
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Fat9 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
11 mins
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. (11 minutes)
02
Step
0 mins
Gently clean and rinse the zucchini blossoms. Remove the pistils/stamens from the center of each flower. Roughly chop the blossoms. (5 minutes)
03
Step
20 mins
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. (5 minutes)
04
Step
0 mins
Pour in the reserved pasta water, add the chopped parsley and saffron threads. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a minute to allow the saffron to infuse its color and aroma. (1 minute)
05
StepAdd the chopped zucchini blossoms to the skillet and simmer until they are tender, about 8-10 minutes. (10 minutes)
06
StepSprinkle the cornmeal over the zucchini blossom mixture, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. (5 minutes)
07
StepGently fold the cooked penne into the zucchini blossom sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated. (2 minutes)
08
StepServe immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Please Rate
Adelbert Beier
Jun 30, 2025My family loved this! Even my picky eaters asked for seconds.
Trent Smith
Jun 28, 2025Easy to follow and the results are restaurant quality.
Sandy Wuckert
Jun 27, 2025The cornmeal trick is genius! It thickened the sauce perfectly.
Danny Schmidt
Jun 26, 2025I couldn't find zucchini blossoms, so I used zucchini instead. It was still delicious!
Sasha Zieme
Jun 26, 2025Absolutely divine! The saffron really makes a difference.