Penne With Zucchini And Basil Recipes

HOT ZUCCHINI AND PEPPER BASIL SAUCE WITH PENNE

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in a covered pot for penne.
• Turn on broiler, and line the broiler pan with a double thickness of aluminum foil. Scrub and trim the zucchini and yellow squash, and slice in half lengthwise. Arrange on the foil-lined broiler pan, cut side up, and spray with nonstick pan spray. Broil the squashes about 3 inches from the source of heat for about 15 minutes, until they are browned and softened.
• Meanwhile, rinse the peppers and cut in fine julienne strips. Chop the garlic, rinse the capers and combine the garlic, capers, anchovy paste and hot pepper flakes.
• Cook the penne according to package directions.
• Heat a small nonstick skillet until it is hot. Reduce heat to medium high, and add the oil. Quickly saute the garlic mixture. Remove from heat, and stir in the julienned peppers.
• Cut the squashes into thin strips, and add to the pepper mixture.
• Wash, dry and cut the basil, and stir into pepper mixture. Season with pepper.
• Drain the penne, and top with the sauce.

BAKED PENNE WITH CORN, ZUCCHINI AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400ºF.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt the water, add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
• In a 12-inch nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat, warm 3 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the corn, season with salt and black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
• Return the pan to medium-high heat and warm the remaining 3 Tbs. olive oil. Working in batches, add the zucchini, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add to the bowl with the corn. Repeat with the remaining zucchini, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
• Set the pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, 1 teaspoons salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to form a sauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until the wine has reduced and the sauce is fairly thick, about 3 minutes more.
• Add the pasta, tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano to the bowl with the vegetables and stir to combine. Transfer to the fry pan and sprinkle the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm.