Macarrão com Abobrinha

Macarrão com Abobrinha is a delightful Brazilian pasta dish that features tender zucchini mingling with al dente pasta, all brought together with a light garlic and olive oil sauce. This dish is not only quick to prepare but also packed with fresh flavors and nutrients.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine) - 150 grams
• Zucchini - 1 medium (about 200 grams), thinly sliced
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Cherry tomatoes - 100 grams, halved
• Fresh basil - 10 grams, chopped
• Parmesan cheese - 30 grams, grated
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
4. Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender.
5. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they soften.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the zucchini and tomatoes.
7. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and mix in the chopped basil.
9. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Cholesterol: 10 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Zucchini is low in calories and high in vitamins, particularly vitamin C and potassium.
• Olive oil is a source of healthy fats that can help reduce inflammation and support heart health.

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