Chilled pork loin roast with zucchini sauce
- Difficulty: Average
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 50 min
- Serving: 6
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
Cold pork loin roast with zucchini sauce is really a summertime favorite on many Italian tables. When the weather heats up, Italians are all about keeping meals fresh and easy, and this dish nails it. Lighter than the usual Sunday roast, it skips the oven—pretty simple—and opts for a preparation you can chill ahead of time. The cold pork loin roast comes out so so tender and mild, soaking up all the flavors around it. And the sauce? The real star is the zucchini sauce—a creamy, moist blend that uses up those summer zucchinis in a way that's both straightforward and a little special. This kind of meal sits right next to classics like vitello tonnato, showing just how much Italians love their chilled meat dishes when a heat wave hits.
Thing is, this recipe is all about practicality and freshness. People across Italy might add their own twist—maybe a hint of fresh mint or a squeeze of lemon in the zucchini sauce, or even some capers for an extra kick. The pork loin with zucchini strikes a delicate balance where the meat stays mellow, and the sauce brings in a gentle, almost sweet veggie flavor. I mean, it’s a cool, satisfying choice for long lunches or relaxed dinners—perfect when you crave something filling but not too heavy. Italians often slice the chilled pork roast thin, spooning the green sauce right on top, maybe with some rustic bread or a light salad on the side. Really, it fits seamlessly into those classic summer pork recipes everyone hunts for when it’s just too hot for the oven.
For sure, people love how well this dish works as a make-ahead option, letting you pull it from the fridge when you’re ready—so you get a plate of easy, tasty food without any stress. The whole vibe is relaxed, easygoing, and built for those sunny days that call for something simple and really really satisfying. Cannot go wrong.
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INGREDIENTS
- Pork loin 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
- White wine ½ glass
- Onions 1
- Garlic 1 clove
- Rosemary 1 sprig
- Bay leaves 1 leaf
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- for the zucchini sauce
- Zucchini 0.9 lb (390 g)
- Salted capers 3 spoonfuls
- Anchovies in oil 5 fillets
- Parsley 1 sprig
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Balsamic vinegar 1 tsp
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Chilled pork loin roast with zucchini sauce
To prepare the chilled pork loin roast with zucchini sauce, season the loin with salt 1 and pepper 2 on all sides 3.
Next, heat a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan 4 and brown the meat 5 on all sides for a few minutes 6, until the surface is well browned.
At this point transfer it temporarily to a tray 7. Trim and slice the onion 8. In the same pan, heat a drizzle of oil and add a crushed clove of garlic 9.
Add the onion 10, rosemary and bay leaf 11, then let them flavor for a few minutes over low heat 12.
Now return the meat to the pan 13 and deglaze with white wine 14. When the alcohol has evaporated, cover with the lid 15 and cook for about 45 minutes, adjusting the time according to the thickness of the loin. During cooking, turn the roast a couple of times and, if necessary, add a few tablespoons of hot water or broth to prevent the pan from drying out. When cooked, transfer the meat to a cutting board and let it cool completely. To obtain cleaner slices you can refrigerate it for a few hours.
Meanwhile prepare the sauce. Wash and trim the zucchini 17, then cut half into thin strips 17 and then into very small dice 18.
Cut the other half 19 into larger chunks 20. Place these in a food processor 21.
Add the parsley 22, the rinsed capers 23 and the anchovies 34.
Pour in a drizzle of oil and pepper to taste 25. Blend until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous sauce 26, then transfer it to a bowl and add the zucchini cut into small dice 27.
Adjust salt and pepper, add the balsamic vinegar 28 and mix. If you think it's necessary, add another drizzle of oil to reach a soft but not too runny consistency. Finally, slice the chilled roast into thin slices with a slicer or a sharp knife 30.
Arrange the slices on a serving platter 31 and finish with the zucchini sauce 32. The chilled pork loin roast with zucchini sauce is ready to serve 33.