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Courgetti with pesto, Parmesan crumbs and Parma ham recipe

Courgetti with pesto, Parmesan crumbs and Parma ham recipe

10 ratings

Give your summer a Mediterranean spin with this delicious Italian courgetti recipe with pesto, Parmesan crumbs and crispy Parma ham. A light alternative to spaghetti, courgetti is packed with flavour and just as delicious! See method

  • Serves 4
  • 20 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook
  • 384 calories / serving

Ingredients

  • 2 slices white bread, torn
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan
  • 1 lemon, finely zested
  • 2 slices Parma ham
  • 75g pine nuts

For the courgetti

  • 4 medium courgettes, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp fresh pesto
If you haven't got any white bread, try using brown instead

Each serving contains

  • Energy

    1590kj
    384kcal
    19%
  • Fat

    32g 45%
  • Saturates

    5g 24%
  • Sugars

    4g 4%
  • Salt

    1.3g 21%

of the reference intake
Carbohydrate 13.2g Protein 11.5g Fibre 1g

Method

  1. Put the bread into a small blender with the basil and blitz until to breadcrumbs. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, add the crumbs and fry for 3-4 mins or until golden. Season, add the Parmesan and lemon zest and fry for another minute. Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. 
  3. Put the Parma ham and pine nuts onto a baking sheet and bake for 5 mins or until the ham is crisp and the pine nuts are lightly golden. Set aside to cool, then crumble the ham into small pieces.
  4. For the courgetti, spiralize or cut the courgette with a julienne peeler or thinly slice lengthways, then cut into thin strips with a sharp knife. Heat a little oil in a large sauté pan, add 1 courgette and fry over a high heat with a little salt and pepper for 3-4 mins or until the courgette is just tender but still retaining some bite. Stir in one spoonful of pesto and mix together.
  5. Tip onto a serving plate and then repeat with the remaining 3 courgettes and pesto. Scatter each plate with breadcrumbs and Parma ham before serving.

Tip: Make the crumbs, crispy Parma ham and toasted pine nuts and store in a covered container for up to 24 hours.

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