Saturday, June 13, 2009

Zucchini Carpaccio with Almonds



This recipe comes from “My Italian Garden”, by Viana La Place. I’ve made it my goal to photograph her recipes as often as time allows. They are simple, beautiful, and quite underrepresented in her book. How can one understand the beauty of raw zucchini without a photograph? I also find her instructions interesting, she even instructs the reader on the preferred shape and color of the platter. La Place really emphasizes that food is part of a beautiful life. I couldn’t agree more.

This dish is simplicity in beautiful Italian form. It may not be for everyone, as many of us are not used to raw zucchini. I found it wonderfully clean tasting, just slightly rich from the olive oil, and salty from the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The almonds add texture and another dimension to this summer salad.

You’ll need a mandolin or wide vegetable peeler to make this one.

Ingredients
½ cup whole almonds
4 small, very firm zucchini, preferable just picked, ends trimmed
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea Salt
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese

PREHEAT the oven to 375 degrees.

SPREAD the almonds on a baking sheet and toast for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

SELECT a large oval platter, preferably white. Use a mandolin or a wide vegetable peeler to make long shavings of zucchini. Spread the zucchini on the platter, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt.Working over the zucchini with a standard vegetable peeler, SHAVE enough Parmesan to lightly cover the zucchini.

Coarsely CHOP the almonds and distribute evenly over the cheese. Immediately before serving, embellish with an additional very light drizzling of olive oil.

Recipe by Viana La Place. Picture and write-up by Laura Flowers


12 comments:

The Cooking Photographer said...

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know I'm still in Boston, but will be home in a couple days and come see what you all have been up to!

Laura

square kitchen said...

The recipe sounds great, and I will try it in a little while. Recently I made a raw fennel salade with lime vinaigrette. And I made the same experience. The taste is very clear and fresh.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures and a great recipe. I love raw zucchini and make a marinated salad that is also very fresh with dill. Can't wait to try this one.

oneordinaryday said...

Very interesting recipe. Beautiful photo. Did you follow her instructions in your plating? It looks lovely.

Risa said...

Well I love raw zuccini so this is a perfect recipe for me. Sounds like a great book.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a beautiful presentation of a wonderfully simple dish. Very nice!

lisaiscooking said...

Beautiful zucchini dish! I've been meaning to add some of her books to my collection, and now I'm inspired to do so right away.

Lauren said...

What a refreshing, healthy meal option for summer. And it's low carb, yay! Thanks for sharing the recipe, and for posting the photo on Tastespotting.

Jennifer Galatioto said...

These are fancy and look really refreshing!

Jamie said...

I was actually going to make zucchini carpaccio for lunch and put it on my blog! Haven't we done this before? The photo is gorgeous!

Aubrey said...

That looks light and delicious, and really lovely photography too!

lesley said...

Bellissimo!!!

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