Monday, 10 June 2013

Smoked Salmon and Courgette (Zucchini) Pasta

Smoked Salmon and Courgette (Zucchini) Pasta
“Smoked salmon at JibberJabber Towers!” I hear you cry, “Is the Queen coming to supper?” No, just the four of us but this pasta dish with just some courgettes, olive oil and garlic makes a seemingly luxury meal a midweek family meal.

I love smoked salmon and in fact Christmas Day just isn't right without having scrambled eggs with smoked salmon for breakfast, a smoked salmon timbale starter and smoked salmon sandwiches for tea. Thankfully the rest of the occupants at JibberJibber Towers are also smoked salmon lovers. My local supermarket currently sells a 120g packet of smoked salmon trimmings for 98p, which is just the right amount for this recipe. I use the smoked salmon trimmings in a number of dishes but this recipe is particularly nice for summer as contains no heavy cream sauce and the courgettes give it a fresh and light taste.

There are two things to bear in mind when making this meal. Firstly, use olive oil as stated. Do not substitute sunflower or vegetable for it. The olive oil gives the pasta a distinct flavour that doesn't taste as good if other oils are used. Second thing concerns the courgettes. I grate them using the fine cutter attachment on my food processor. I do this for reasons of speed, to save my fingers being shredded and also because the courgettes don't get pulped when grated. You must also make sure you squeeze some of the water out of the courgettes as described. If you skip this stage do not come back to me complaining your courgettes ended up as a watery mush!

When we made this the last time we had it with farfalle or bow-tie shaped pasta because as any Doctor Who fan knows (and there are two here) that, “Bow-ties are cool”. However, choose your own favourite shape but spaghetti or linguine do work very well too.

With the three main ingredients of smoked salmon, courgettes and pasta this is being put forward for the Recipes for Life challenge for the SWALLOW Charity on Vanesther's Bangers and Mash blog.
 recipes for life

Serves 4

Ingredients
300g Dried pasta
2 Courgettes, grated
2 Cloves of garlic, crushed
3 tbsp (45ml) Olive oil
100-150g Packet of Smoked salmon trimmings

Method

1. Start the pasta cooking in boiling water.
2. Using kitchen towels put the courgettes between two and squeeze the excess water out of the courgettes. You will need to do this in a couple of batches.
3. In a large saucepan heat the oil.
4. Cook the courgettes and garlic until the courgettes start to soften. Do not let the garlic to burn.
5. Once the pasta has cooked drain it and then add it to the courgettes and garlic.
6. Add the smoked salmon and stir until the mixture is well combined.
Serve immediately.

2 comments:

  1. I don't think I've ever come across smoked salmon trimmings - I think I need to get hold of some quick! This dish looks delicious, really fresh and tasty. Will be trying this out on my lot very soon. And a great entry for this month's Recipes for Life challenge too - thanks for taking part :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let's just say you can get them from somewhere you can 'Eat well for less'! I know other supermarkets sell trimmings as well. They're perfect for this type of dish.

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