Farmer's Market Pasta
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Any cooking story with mama is a great one. I love being in the kitchen with my mom. It can be the middle of summer, and for some reason cooking with mama makes it seem like it's Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's just so festive and fun. My earliest cooking memories with her were right around the holidays so a day in the kitchen with her always seems like a special occasion. We often go to the farmer's market together on Saturday mornings. One Saturday last summer, we went and I told her whatever we found, I'd make up a recipe with it when we got home. We just so happened to find the most beautiful and unique zucchini, squash, and eggplant - such odd colors and shapes - so when we got home I cooked up a pasta for my parents. They said it was the best pasta they ever had, so I wrote down the recipe and called it my Farmer's Market Pasta!
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SEE THE VIDEO HERE!
Grocery list:
2-3 cups of fresh veggies (any will work but I use eggplant, squash, zucchini, tomatoes)
4 slices of bacon + the bacon grease
1 tbsp olive oil 3 garlic cloves - minced
1 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese - fresh grated
1 lb penne pasta (or any bite sized pasta)
Basil - chopped
Dressing:
1 tbsp garlic - minced
1/2 a lemon - juiced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup good, fruity olive oil
Directions:
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Step 1:
Heat oven to 450.
Fry bacon and set aside the bacon strips and the grease.
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Step 2:
Cut the veggies into 1 inch cubes and place on a baking sheet. Toss together with bacon grease, olive oil, minced garlic, Kosher salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
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Step 3:
Boil pasta in a large pot with water and a handful of salt. Boil for 6-7 minutes or until al dente. While pasta boils, make dressing. Combine the garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil.
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Step 4:
Put cooked pasta directly into a serving bowl with about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Crumble bacon directly into the pasta. Add Parmesan, roasted veggies and all their juices, and dressing. Toss together to combine. Top with more Parmesan and chopped basil.
CHEERS TO HAPPY EATING!!!