Fettuccini Alfredo with Zucchini Ribbons

My husband loves fettuccine alfredo and while I do as well, my thighs and butt do not. Thank goodness for this recipe then. It saves the day. It is a good, low fat version of the classic. Yet, it still feels like you’re indulging. Now, you can save the guilty version for a special occasion or splurge. But in the meantime…

Fettuccini Alfredo with Zucchini Ribbons
Serves 4

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each)
12 ounces fettuccini pasta, preferably whole wheat
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup cold 1% low-fat milk
½ cup evaporated skim milk
½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Slice the ends off the zucchini and discard. Using a mandolin or carefully with a sharp knife slice the zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices. Stack the slices and cut with a kni]fe lengthwise into 1/4 inch-thik ribbons.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large non-stick skillet over a medium heat. Add 1 clove of the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini ribbons, cover and cook until the zucchini is tender, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to a bowl.

Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the package. Ladle out a half cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and return it to the pasta pot.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Stir the flour into the low-fat milk until it is completely dissolved. Put the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet and heat over a medium-high heat. Add the remaining clove of garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the flour-milk mixture and cook until the mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the evaporated milk, salt and the cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Season with additional salt to taste.

Add the sauce, the zucchini and 3 tablespoons of the parsley to the pasta in the pot and toss to combine. Add a little of the reserved pasta water as necessary to loosen.

To serve, place 2 cups of the pasta mixture on each plate and garnish with remaining parsley.