Farfalle With Zucchini Tomato And Basil Recipes

"BOW-TIE" PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut zucchini crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices and in a colander toss with salt. Let zucchini stand to drain 45 minutes. Pat zucchini dry.
• While zucchini is draining, cut basil into thin strips and bring a 6-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water to a boil for farfalle. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente and ladle out and reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta in colander.
• While pasta is cooking, in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté zucchini, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in half of basil. Stir in pasta and butter and gently toss until butter is melted. Stir in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and gently toss (adding more pasta water as needed if mixture becomes too dry). Stir in 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, remaining basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve pasta with additional cheese.

BAKED FARFALLE WITH ESCAROLE AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalle until very al dente, 2 to 3 minutes less than the label directs; drain.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden. Crush the plum tomatoes into the skillet with your hands; rinse out each can with 1/2 cup water and add the water to the skillet. Add the basil sprigs; simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, 15 minutes. Discard the basil; season the sauce with salt. (Alternatively, heat 4 cups prepared tomato sauce.)
• Stir the chopped basil and parsley into the sauce, then add the escarole and zucchini.
• Brush a 3-to-4-quart baking dish with olive oil. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and half of each cheese. Spread in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the pasta. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.