Have you heard of cucuzza? Chef Paul Vida from Ivy Tech Culinary School and Maci Runkel, Ivy Tech Culinary School student, stopped by to make us a delicious pasta dish using this Italian summer squash. They also made Brioche French Toast With Rum Cream and Almond Crunch.
Aldy Labrador, Director of Business Development for McFarling Foods, joined us as well to discuss how McFarling has helped their restaurant partners during COVID.
Cucuzza With Pasta (6-8 servings)
Ingredients:
Cucuzza Or zucchini | 1 each 3’ about 6 cups 3 about 6 cups | Peeled and large diced – best when picked young. Peeled and large diced – large, but tender zucchini – need about 6 cups large diced | |
| Olive oil | ¼ cup | ||
| Garlic | 5 cloves | Chopped | |
| Onions | 1 large | Large cut, the texture is important | |
| Potatoes | 6 each | Small red or yellow potatoes cut into bite sized pieces | |
| Tomatoes | 6 each | Peeled and cut into 8ths depending on the size of the tomato– garden ripened are preferred, type of tomato will subtly affect the flavor | |
| Bay leaf | 1 each | ||
| Crushed red pepper | ½ tsp. | Or to taste | |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | Be generous | |
| Fresh basil | ¼ cup | Or to taste – chopped | |
| Pecorino Romano cheese | For serving | ||
| Pasta such as Cavatappi, Farfalle, or other small shape | 1 pound | Cooked and drained There is a lot of room for judgement here. You can always cook more if you like a lot of pasta or want to feed 8 people. | |
| Bread | For serving – whole grain sourdough is ideal |
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering
- Add the garlic and onions, cook until the onions are soft, stir occasionally so garlic doesn’t burn
- Add the cucuzza, or zucchini and continue to cook, stirring frequently until the squash becomes translucent
- Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, and crushed red pepper
- Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce the heat for a gentle simmer
- Cook for about 30 minutes, checking for the squash to become tender but not mushy
- Add the pasta and fresh basil and bring back to a simmer
- Serve hot with grated Pecorino Romano, and a grind of black pepper and a dash of hot sauce
- Crusty bread is always welcome
Brioche French Toast With Rum Cream and Almond Crunch (8 servings)
Ingredients:
| Brioche | 8 slices | ||
| Eggs | 4 each | ||
| Heavy cream | ¼ cup | ||
| Brown sugar | ¼ cup | ||
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | ||
| Cinnamon | |||
| Nutmeg | |||
| Pink pepper | ¼ teaspoon | Freshly ground – or to taste | |
| Lemon zest | ½ teaspoon | Finely grated or chopped | |
| Whipped cream | |||
| Heavy cream | 2 cups | ||
| Dark rum | 2 Tablespoons | ||
| Granulated sugar | 2 teaspoons | ||
| Almond crunch | |||
| Butter | 3.5 ounces | ||
| Sugar | 3.5 ounces | ||
| Honey | 1 Tablespoon | ||
| Milk | 1 Tablespoon | ||
| Sliced almonds | 3.5 ounces | Lightly toasted | |
| Maple syrup | As needed |
Directions:
- Make the almond crunch – combine the butter, sugar, honey, and milk in a saucepan , bring to 230F degrees, stir in the almonds and remove from the heat, lay out on a sheet pan with a silpat and bake at 350F until golden brown – the topping should crisp when cooled
- Whip the cream with the rum and sugar until medium peaks – set aside in the refrigerator
- Combine all of the French toast ingredients, except for the brioche well and place in a pie pan for dipping the brioche
- Heat a skillet to medium high and brush with butter
- Dip the brioche into the mix on both sides, do not allow the bread to soak up the liquid
- Cook in the skillet until golden on both sides
- Place on plates, top with whipped cream, a drizzle of syrup and the almond crunch
THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY MCFARLING FOODS.