Photo: AP
A combination of pasta and summer squash results in a light, flavorful dish, full of color. We decided against peeling the squash, as the skin helped to keep the pieces intact throughout the cooking process. Because summer squash contains so much liquid, we salted and drained it to keep our sauce from ending up watery and bland.
The salted squash also browned beautifully; just 5 minutes in a hot skillet gave a light char to each batch. To accompany the squash, we chose halved grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and pine nuts. We finished the sauce with balsamic vinegar to give it a kick and paired the sauce with farfalle since its nooks and crannies easily trapped the flavor-packed ingredients. A combination of zucchini and summer squash makes for a more colorful dish, but either may be used exclusively if desired. Cherry tomatoes can be substituted for the grape tomatoes.
If farfalle is unavailable, campanelle and fusilli are good substitutes. We prefer using kosher salt because residual grains can be easily wiped away from the squash; if using table salt, be sure to reduce all of the salt amounts in the recipe by half.
FARFALLE WITH ZUCCHINI, TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS
Servings: 6
White sauce pasta recipe for this Valentine's Day
Start to finish: 1 hour
2 pounds zucchini and/or summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/2 inch thick
Kosher salt and pepper
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pound farfalle
12 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Grated Parmesan cheese
Toss squash with 1 tablespoon salt and let drain in a colander for 30 minutes. Pat squash dry with paper towels and carefully wipe away any residual salt.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add half of the squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and slightly charred, 5 to 7 minutes, reducing heat if skillet begins to scorch; transfer to a large plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining squash; transfer to a plate.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in squash and cook until heated through about 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to boil in a large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to the pot. Add squash mixture, tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, vinegar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and adjust consistency with reserved cooking water as needed. Serve with Parmesan.
