Food: Summer Pasta

Here in Michigan, it's almost peak vegetable season. So we all know what that means...you can find fresh everything at the store and farmers' markets! A few weekends ago I threw together this pasta for a quick Friday night meal. It's super easy and simple - and would adapt really well to what every veggie you find at the store this week - zucchini, wax beans, etc. Just make sure to include the tomatoes and lemon since that's what helps create the "sauce."

Summer Pasta

MM

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Finely Grated Zest from one lemon
• Juice from one lemon
• 4 shakes of crushed red pepper
• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, snapped into 1" pieces
• 1/2 t salt
• 10 oz grape tomatoes (i.e. one package)
• 4 oz mushrooms (I used a package of pre-sliced, mixed variety)
• 1 T chives, chopped
• Freshly cracked pepper
• 16 oz Pasta (I used Gia Rusa Whole Wheat Roman Rigatoni)
• 3 oz, crumbled Feta Cheese

Directions

• In a medium-sized, deep saucepan, heat oil over medium heat for a couple of minutes -or- until you can start to smell its aroma. Add lemon zest and crushed red pepper and heat for another 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and tomatoes and increase heat to medium-high.
• After cooking for ~15 minutes, tomatoes should be tender enough to crush. Smash tomatoes with back of spoon (be careful when doing this so you don't splatter yourself - or the walls!), add lemon juice, asparagus, pepper, salt. Heat for another 5 minutes or so until asparagus is cooked yet still firm.
• Meanwhile, heat generously salted water in a large pot on high heat. Once water is boiling, add pasta. Cook for 10 minutes (or until al dente - according to pasta instructions). Drain pasta. Pour "sauce" over pasta, add feta cheese, toss to coat.
• Garnish with fresh chives.