Ziti pumpkin mussels, a simple and quick recipe
It seems like a play on words, but…
Ziti, pumpkin, and mussels is a delightful recipe created with products from our Italian land.
This dish harmoniously combines flavors and colors, creating a unique taste experience. The pumpkin, with its sweet and creamy flavor, pairs perfectly with the mussels, which add a marine and salty touch to the preparation. The aroma that spreads during cooking is simply inviting.
The recipe is very easy and quick to prepare, making it perfect for when you want a tasty but quick dinner. Moreover, it is a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to different gastronomic preferences by modifying the spices used or the pasta format, or by using rice.
Ziti, pumpkin and mussels are a true pleasure for the palate and a great representation of the richness of our land. It is definitely worth trying them!
Mussels are a type of mollusk highly appreciated in Mediterranean cuisine. They are usually consumed as seafood, fresh or cooked in various ways.
They are very popular in Italy and are found in many traditional dishes like mussel soup, pasta, or served as an appetizer.
Mussels are also a source of high-quality proteins and contain good amounts of vitamin B12, zinc, and iron.
They are known for their unique flavor that brings the sea to mind
In general, mussels are considered safe to consume, but it’s important to ensure they are fresh and sourced from reliable suppliers to avoid health risks.
As with any type of fresh food.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
Ziti pumpkin and mussels…
- 250 ziti (broken)
- 10.5 oz pumpkin
- 10.5 oz mussels (shelled)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 2 spicy peppers
- 1 Tropea red onion
- to taste olive oil
- to taste salt
Tools
A pan and a pot for pasta
Steps
I always recommend preparing everything you will need for cooking, and getting the ingredients ready and cut to facilitate the entire preparation process
Although in truth, we must first think of the mussels, as they need to be shelled in advance… Putting them in a pot with a lid to open them and then removing the shells.
As written above, clean and cut the pumpkin into small pieces, and set it aside, slice the onion…
In a pan with a little oil, fry the onions with the whole chili pepper in already hot oil; brown for five minutes, and then the pine nuts…
Add the shelled mussels, you can also leave some shells if you like; personally, I don’t like them much in first courses, so I remove them first! Dry any sauce and…
Add the pumpkin, a small cup of hot water, you can use the pasta water, adjust the salt…
Meanwhile, break the ziti and cook in salted boiling water, finish cooking leaving them al dente and add them to the pumpkin and mussel condiment… Mix carefully, and your first course is ready!
Plate and serve with an additional grind of black pepper to contrast the sweetness of the pumpkin, possibly a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley.
It keeps until the next day, as stated above you can also use spaghetti or half sleeves. A nice risotto with the same ingredients makes a great effect!
