The Recipe!
What a fantastic way to showcase fresh summer flavours with your favorite pasta shape!
3/4 package of your favorite pasta shape (I used whole wheat noodles) – about 12 oz.
2 sweet peppers (green,red,orange or yellow) cut into medium sized cubes
1.5 Lbs of mushrooms of choice, halved. You may saute these first if you enjoy the flavour of mushrooms in this manor other than grilling or roasting in the oven. Honestly, it’s probably easier this way and can be done in advance.
1 large bunch of scallions
1 medium cucumber cut in two (seeded with spoon as in video) and diced
3 tomatoes from your garden or farmstand (not grocery store – those are terrible!)
3/4 cup of cherry tomatoes ( Yes more tomatoes! Some do a primavera with ONLY tomatoes!)
3 seedless oranges, sliced and chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons of orange zest
2 Key limes or or 1 large regular lime
7-8 basil leaves, halved
2 teaspoons of chopped herbs of choice like rosemary, thyme, oregano or use Herbs de Provence
1/4-1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil -use the amount that you are comfortable with
3/4 cup of parmesan ( can use any combination of cheeses, but freshly grated truly taste best )
Sea salt and pepper to taste.
Drizzle mushrooms, scallions and sweet peppers with olive oil, and grill in a grill pan until nicely charred -about 10 minutes. If roasted in the oven, dived in two large baking sheets, set oven to 450 and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Cook pasta according to directions, drain, toss in cheese, all vegetables, orange, herbs, 2 tablespoons of orange zest, juice of the limes, 1 tablespoon of lime zest, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. You’ll need a very large bowl for tossing! This dish should be served warm.