Summer Bucatini with Buttery Zucchini Sauce

I love trying new ways to use summer zucchini. Making pasta sauce out of grated zucchini is absolute genius! This dish gobbled up all of the zucchini that I received in my CSA share- amazing.

This recipe was adapted from Smitten Kitchen.com. I used bucatini (our favorite) instead of spaghetti. I also modified the proportions and method. It was a vegetarian crowd-pleaser. Super quick to prepare too.

Yield: Serves 5 to 6

• 3 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for pasta water, and to taste
• 16 ounces (1 pound, 450 grams) bucatini, cooked al dente (I used De Cecco)(can substitute with spaghetti, linguini, or fettuccine)
• 2 cups (470 ml) pasta water, reserved
• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds (about 1100 to 1300 grams) zucchini, trimmed, coarsely grated (I used 3 large zucchini- about 8 cups grated)
• 12 tablespoons (170 grams, 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
• 1 generous cup (90 grams) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• fresh basil leaves, cut into thin ribbons (about 2 large handfuls)

1. Mince the garlic cloves in a food processor. Set aside.
2. Coarsely grate the zucchini in a food processor, emptying the bowl as necessary. Set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. (I used an enameled cast iron pot.)
4. Add the garlic, stirring it into the butter for one minute.
5. Add the zucchini, salt, and red pepper. Cook the zucchini, stirring from time to time, for 13 to 15 minutes. It will first let off a puddle liquid, the liquid will cook off, and the zucchini will become soft and concentrated. If the zucchini begins to brown, reduce the heat slightly.
6. Stir frequently for 2 more minutes until it reaches an almost spreadable consistency.
7. Meanwhile, boil your pasta in well-salted water until it’s 1 minute shy of fully cooked. Before you drain it, reserve 2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside. (I cooked my pasta for 9 minutes.)
8. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water into the zucchini and butter mixture scraping up any browned bits.
9. Add the drained pasta, and cook together for 2 minutes. Use tongs to pull up the zucchini butter sauce into the pasta strands, tossing frequently, and adding some or all of the remaining pasta water as needed to loosen.
10. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired.
11. Incorporate a generous half of the parmesan and basil and mix, then transfer to a serving bowl, if desired. (I served the pasta from my cast iron pan!)
12. Garnish with remaining parmesan and basil. Serve.