What's for Dinner?: Penne Pasta with Fresh Vegetable Saute

Growing up in an Italian household, I grew up on pasta. We had it a couple of times a week. My mom was an excellent cook and not only did we have pasta, but she could cook anything. I think that is where I got my passion for cooking, by watching her and her enjoying cooking and showing me how to cook. Thanks mom.  She was the type of person that friends would stop over anytime of the day/night (I'm talking late night) and she would pull a fantastic meal out of the cupboards and make something out of nothing.  She was also a good baker as well.  I guess it was generational. Passed down from her mother to her. My grandmother was a great cook. People would come from all over to inhale her homemade pizza. Till this day no one can replicate her homemade pizza, we've all tried to no avail.  

The Pasta saute is always a quick and easy meal to make and an easy go to for dinner. It's great to serve with friends because you can entertain yet the dish is done quick. 

Love this time of year with the Westford Farmer’s Market, with all the fresh, local and organic produce to pick from.  This dish can be made within 30 mins. While the pasta is cooking (always use salted water to cook pasta) start the sauce/veggies.  It’s quick, delicious and you can use a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs.  Other vegetables you can use are Snap peas, Asparagus, Green Beans, Carrots just about anything you have in your refrigerator.  I made this with the following and this is What’s for dinner.

Penne Pasta with Fresh Vegetable Saute

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Cloves of garlic chopped
• Handful Cherry tomatoes halved
• 4 Green Scallion chopped  or 1 small red onion sliced
• 1 Small Zucchini sliced in quarter pieces
• 1 Ear of Corn on the Cob, kernels sliced off
• 1 Small Red Pepper sliced thin
• Fresh Basil or Thyme
• 1Whole Container of Fresh Baby Spinach
• ½ to 2/3 Cup White Wine
• Kosher Salt and Pepper
• 1 1lb Box of Penne Pasta

Parmagiano Reggiano Cheese or any parmesan cheese you have.

Cook Penne Pasta according to package.  I usually salt the water and cook no longer than 7 mins.

Directions: In a large sauté pan combine all the ingredients except the spinach in olive oil and sauté lightly for about 15 mins, add the wine (good wine, wine you’d actually drink), continue to cook for 5 more mins then add the spinach till just wilted. Serve veggies over penne. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

I love to have this with a nice loaf of Italian Bread or French Baguette.  This is the one time that I don’t have a salad, not needed due to all the vegetables with the pasta.  The leftovers (if there are any) even taste better the next day.

Hope you enjoy!!!