Looking for an easy and delicious way to use up summer zucchini? Try Chef John’s fried zucchini spaghetti! It is packed with flavor, and the zucchini provides a wonderful crispy texture.
To make this dish, start by slicing the zucchini into thin strips and deep-fried until lightly brown. Refrigerate it overnight and then cook until tender with salt water.
Break down with a spatula and add butter and basil leaves. Toss the cooked spaghetti and mix the grated cheese until well coated.
You can toss in basil strips, a sprig of thyme, or some oregano to take your sauce to the next level. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley, and salt and pepper to revamp your spaghetti sauce.
Now that you know the drill, let’s dive into how to make this delicious Chef John’s fried zucchini spaghetti. While scrolling down, you will find the ingredients and equipment needed to make cheesy Chef John’s fried zucchini spaghetti. Check other Chef John’s recipes here.
Other Chef John’s Recipe That You Can Try
- Chef John’s Salmon Cakes
- Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib
- Chef John’s Chicken And Rice
- Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle
- Chef John’s Quiche Lorraine
- Chef John’s Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
- Chef John’s Stuffed Pepper
- Chef John’s Au Jus
- Chef John’s Gazpacho
- Chef John’s Meatballs
What Equipment Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti?
- Saucepan – Boil spaghetti in a pan until they are soft and tender.
- Fryer – Deep fry zucchini in sunflower oil until they are lightly brown.
- Vegetable Slicers – Slice zucchini using a vegetable slicer for easy and quick processing.
- Tongs – Grab cooked spaghetti with tongs and transfer it into the sauce.
- Grater – Grate two different types of cheese with the help of a cheese grater for a cheesy bite
- Paper Towel – Drain the excess oil from the fried zucchini on a paper towel.
How Much Time Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti?
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Freezing Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Minutes | 35 Minutes | 8 Hours | 8 Hours 55 Minutes |
What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti?
- Sunflower Oil – Deep fry the sliced zucchini in sunflower oil at higher temperatures before the oil starts to smoke.
- Green Zucchini – Fry zucchini to get a slightly sweet and mild flavor.
- Spaghetti – Boil spaghetti in a saucepan until softer and less chewy
- Olive Oil – Heat a saucepan with the olive oil and cook zucchini until it releases natural juices, softens, and breaks down.
- Salt – Add salt to enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
- Basil leaves – Torn basil leaves into small pieces to add sweet and savory flavor with hints of mint, anise, and pepper.
- Butter – Add butter to get the creamy and velvety texture of the sauce.
- Pecorino Romano cheese – Add grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the sauce to get a slightly tangy, almost spicy taste.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese – Grate the cheese for a sharp, complex fruity taste with a savory flavor and a slightly gritty texture.
Steps To Make Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti
1. Starting With The Mains
Let’s start with the main ingredient, zucchini. Slice them in the same thickness using a vegetable slicer for convenience.
Once the zucchini is sliced, deep fry them in sunflower oil until they are lightly brown. Drain the excess oil on the paper towel and let them cool down.
Transfer the zucchini chips into a bowl, wrap it with a cling wrap, and pop it into the fridge overnight.
2. Making Of The Sauce
Heat a saucepan with the olive oil over medium heat and add cold zucchini. Add salt and cook the zucchini over medium heat, occasionally stirring until it releases natural juices, softening and breaking down.
Pour boiling salted water into the zucchini, occasionally stirring, until it is tender.
3. The Final Stage
Break zucchini into small pieces with a spatula and reduce the heat to low. Toss in basil leaves and butter and stir until butter melts.
Boil spaghetti in another pan until it is soft. Once the spaghetti is cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Grab spaghetti with tongs, transfer it into the sauce, and stir until it is well coated. Mix in grated Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust the salt if needed.
Nutritional Information
| Calories | 1016 kcal |
| Fat | 78 g |
| Cholesterol | 57 mg |
| Sodium | 479 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Proteins | 23 g |
| Vitamin C | 100 mg |
| Calcium | 385 mg |
| Iron | 4 mg |
| Potassium | 1694 mg |
How Will Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti Look And Taste Like?
Chef John’s fried zucchini spaghetti is a modern take on. Fried and flakey zucchini combined with soft and tender spaghetti garnished with the freshness of basil and savory, rich cheese. It’s a wonderful combination of flavors and a perfect dish for winter.
Recipe Card
Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Fryer
- Vegetable Slicer
- Tongs
- Grater
- Paper Towel
Ingredients
- 6 medium Green Zucchinis
- 4 ounces Spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 5 tablespoons Pecorino Romano Cheese (grated)
- 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese (grated)
- 1 quart Sunflower Oil
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 Basil Leaves (torn into small pieces)
Instructions
- Slice zucchini and deep fry them in sunflower oil until they are lightly brown.
- Drain the excess oil on the paper towel and let them cool down.
- Transfer the zucchini chips into a bowl, wrap it with a cling wrap and pop it into the fridge overnight.
- Heat a saucepan with the olive oil over medium heat and add cold zucchini.
- Add salt and cook the zucchini over medium heat, occasionally stirring until it releases natural juices, softening and breaking down.
- Pour salted water into the zucchini, occasionally stirring, until it is tender.
- Break zucchini into small pieces with a spatula and reduce the heat to low. Toss in basil leaves and butter and stir until butter melts.
- Boil spaghetti in another pan until it is soft. Once the spaghetti is cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Grab spaghetti with tongs, transfer it into the sauce, and stir until it is well coated.
- Mix in grated Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust the salt if needed.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is zucchini soggy?
Zucchini holds a lot of water; you will need to draw out that moisture somehow! The easiest way to get this done is to lay out a paper towel and line them over the towel.
Should you salt zucchini before cooking?
Since zucchini contains a high-water content, treat the vegetables by salting and draining them first to avoid turning into a dirty, soggy mess.
What does zucchini spaghetti taste like?
Zucchini noodles do not have a specific taste; they’re just bland noodles, but not without health benefits.
Conclusion
Try this delicious and easy recipe at home. This dish is packed with flavor, and the zucchini provides a wonderful crispy texture. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any extra zucchini you may have on hand.
