June 25, 2018
Greetings All,
Summer has arrived! As you know, we don’t have spring in New York City. It seems that winter weather lasts right up until June, and then we have scorching summer.
Summer also brings lovely and bountiful vegetables. This week we are getting the first of the summer squash, versatile and plentiful. So this week’s recipe is a great mixture of summer squash and zucchini. ideal for serving with pasta.
SUMMER SQUASH AND BASIL PASTA
1/4 cup olive oil
8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 lbs assorted summer squashes and zucchini, quartered lengthwise, sliced
Kosher salt
1 tsp pepper, plus more for serving
12 oz paccheri, ziti, or other large tube pasta
2 oz Parmesan, grated (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup basil leaves
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the garlic, stirring occasionally, until it is very lightly browned around the edges, about 4 minutes.
2. Add the squash; season with salt. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the squash begins to break down and gets jammy (they may start to stick to the skillet a bit, which means you are there!), 12–15 minutes. Toss in 1 tsp. pepper.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente.
4. Transfer the pasta to a skillet using a slotted spoon or spider and add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook the pasta, adding 2 oz. of Parmesan in stages, along with more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until the sauce coats the pasta and the pasta is al dente. Toss in the lemon juice and most of the basil.
5. Divide the pasta among bowls and top with more Parmesan and pepper and the remaining basil.
HELPFUL HINT: This tastes great the next day, too!
ANOTHER HELPFUL HINT: If you have a basil plant, pinch off the newest tiny leaves. That will make the plant branch out and grow. Do not allow the plant to bloom, or it will die! Pinch off any flower buds as soon as you notice them.
A THIRD HELPFUL HINT: I’m at the full share table. Stop by with any questions you may have about the veggies, the CSA, recipes, etc.
I hope you find the summer weather enjoyable, and I hope you love this dish!
Have a delicious week.
Best,
Judi