This is its moment: the long Sicilian courgette , a particular variety of vegetable that is grown in Sicily, is rich in properties and with interesting nutritional values. As well as a food that deserves further study.
Beyond its appearance, it is a typical product to be discovered that can give great satisfaction to the palate, but also to health. How do you cook long Sicilian courgettes in the most popular recipes of regional cuisine? Here's everything you need to know.
Photo Credit | Andrea Maccarrone's Facebook
What is the long Sicilian courgette
If you've heard of it and are wondering " what is the Sicilian cucuzza ?", well, this is the answer. Although, to tell the truth, you may hear it referred to simply as " long gourd " or " snake courgette ". In the North it is practically unknown, on the island it is instead one of the gastronomic prides. It is no coincidence that it is so present in traditional cuisine.
Sicilian long courgette, cultivation
The cultivation of the long Sicilian courgette - Lagenaria longissima its scientific name - derives from a climbing plant which is planted in the month of April and which grows rapidly.
When are Sicilian courgettes harvested ? Already starting from the month of June and then accompanying us until September. In short, summer is the season in which they are harvested and brought to the table. Their peculiarity, as mentioned, is the size. It is a courgette that can even measure a meter in length.
Sicilian long zucchini property
If courgettes are rich in vitamins and mineral salts, this variety also has a lot to offer in terms of nutritional values and properties. Among those of the Sicilian long courgette are its antioxidant power and its ability to fight water retention . It is in fact rich in water and helps to favor the elimination of liquids, favoring diuresis and the elimination of toxins. Highly digestible, it is very rich in potassium, vitamin E, folic acid and vitamin C. But its virtues are not finished. It also boasts:
- Detoxifying properties
- Diuretic properties
- Sedative properties
- Anti-inflammatory properties
As for its calories , the long Sicilian courgette provides about 20 per 100 grams.
Sicilian long courgette, how to cook it
But let's get to the most interesting part, or how to cook ? The long Sicilian courgette is quite versatile, lending itself both to stewed pan cooking and to the creation of a nutritious soup . It is excellent boiled, stuffed, with pasta . But it's also delicious fried , when it becomes practically irresistible. Like the other varieties, it lends itself to being preserved in oil or vinegar in the Aeolian style , to make a pesto with raisins and pine nuts , or even a condiment for bruschetta .
Just one recommendation: before being cooked, the long courgette must be totally peeled. In fact, its peel, even if it would not seem, is particularly resistant and is never cooked completely. Let's see some recipes not to be missed.
Fried long Sicilian courgettes
Ingredients
- 1 snake courgette from Sicily
- Flour to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Fry oil
Preparation
- Wash the courgette, peel it and cut it into slices that are not too thin.
- Roll them in flour and fry them in hot frying oil.
- Cook until golden brown, then drain on absorbent paper and let the excess grease dry.
- Add salt and enjoy your long fried zucchini piping hot.
Baked long zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 long courgette
- 2 potatoes
- 2-3 tomatoes
- 1 onion
- Basil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
- Turn on the oven at 180°C. Peel and cut the zucchini into pieces. Peel the potatoes and cut them into pieces too.
- Wash the tomatoes and cut them into cubes. Slice the onion into rings.
- Season with oil, salt, pepper and fresh basil, mix well and transfer to a hot oven.
- Cook for about 50 minutes, being careful to stir from time to time.
Boiled long Sicilian zucchini soup
Photo Credit | Facebook Natalie Soap
Ingredients
- 1 long Sicilian courgette
- 2-3 fresh tomatoes (or tomato puree )
- 1 large onion
- 100 g of mixed short pasta
- Fresh basil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Some parmesan crust
Preparation
The preparation of the Sicilian long courgette soup does not differ much from that of the recipe you have just read.
Once all the vegetables have been cut, you can first fry the onions in a little oil, then add the zucchini and chopped tomatoes and add some water or broth together with the zucchini and the Parmesan rind. After cooking for about 15-20 minutes, add the pasta and cook for the indicated cooking time. Turn off the flame, season with salt and pepper, season with oil and basil and serve.
Long zucchini in the pan
Ingredients
- 1 long courgette
- 1-2 cloves of garlic
- salt
- Pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
- Cut the courgette into pieces after peeling it.
- Fry the garlic in plenty of oil and once golden, add the zucchini.
- Fry until golden brown, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
What is frozen Cucuzza?
Perhaps not everyone knows it outside of Palermo: the frozen cucuzza or "frozen" is literally a frozen courgette, but ready to eat. In the sense that, first boiled and drained, it is kept in a box full of ice, from which it is extracted and served to those who want to buy it, in paper cups, after seasoning with salt and lemon juice.
How do you freeze long courgettes?
If you want to preserve the long courgette for the winter, we advise you to boil it, drain it and then freeze it in a plastic bag for food, to place in the freezer and to take out when necessary. To enjoy it, all you have to do is take it out of the freezer, defrost it and use it in the recipe of the moment.
