Do you do this? You pull a cookbook off your shelf to make a certain recipe. Then you find yourself, casually flipping through the book, with small quick intakes of breath. Look at this recipe! Look at that recipe!! Why do I not use this book more often???
Well that happened last week, when I made the Salmon Florentine with Quinoa Pilaf from So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Weekby Ellie Krieger. One of the first recipes I stumbled upon was Penne with Zucchini and Mint, two things that are in abundance right now!! Perfect! As she says in her book “the bright clean flavors and simplicity of this dish make it destined for regular rotation at your home as it is in mine.”
Really. It’s lovely. Simple. Fresh. Totally encompasses the eat what is in season now. It’s not a huge show stopper, it’s just simplicity at it’s best.
Penne with Zucchini and Mint
- ¾ box (12 ounces) whole-wheat penne pasta
¼ cup olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 medium zucchini (8 ounces each), sliced into ¼-inch-thick half moons
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1½ ounces)
¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente and according to the directions on the package.
Meanwhile, add the oil and garlic to a large deep skillet and cook over a medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the garlic is lightly golden, about 6 minutes; be careful not to let the garlic burn. Add the zucchini. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper.
Drain the pasta, then return it to the pasta pot. Add the zucchini mixture, Parmesan cheese, and mint, and toss to combine.
Serves 4
This will be my entry for this week’s Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Simona of Briciole.
Kathryn says
I had never thought about putting mint in pasta before but sounds good; will have to try this some time:)
Simona says
I do that too. My cookbook shelf is not overcrowded and still I feel that I am not making full use of it. This is a simple and flavorful dish: zucchini and mint is a great combination. Thank you for contributing to Presto Pasta Nights.
grace says
i do love a simple dressing on a plate of pasta, and the mint sounds like a terrific component. i say that mostly because it's one of the few things i can successfully grow. 🙂
Chris says
Yeah, I do that too. I like re-discovering cook books on my shelves. Then again, there are some that I just glare at and think, "Why do I keep you around?"
Ruth Daniels says
I do that more times than I can count Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Night.
Ruth Daniels says
Like everyone else, I do it more times than I can count. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Gloria says
This pasta look really delicious!
Carrie @ Cottage Cozy says
Thanks, Pam I needed a recipe to use my mint...this looks relish!
Roz says
Sadly, I do that far too often as well (open up a good old cookbook and ask myself why I don't refer to it more often). I like Ellie but have none of her cookbooks . . . she develops such nice and light recipes such as this penne!
PS: Just found out that I'm going to Italy in October with my parents for a few weeks. Lots to ask you about!
~~louise~~ says
I'm hysterical laughing Pam:) Many many times:)
GREAT choice here, I love the addition of mint. The garden is bursting with it!!!
Thanks for sharing...
Marjie says
It sounds good. I'll bet my guys would love it.
shabby girl says
Hits my hot buttons. Hubby usually cooks complicated recipes. He loves it. But sometimes I crave simple flavors. This sounds delicious.
Amy says
I have a cookbook by Ellie Krieger...I've never even opened it. Maybe I should!
La Table De Nana says
My kind of dish:) Actually I have those dishes too:)
Joanne says
I actually do that every time I open up a cookbook! This pasta recipe definitely is perfect for the season!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
I think we forget about mint in savory dishes and how good it is. I have tons of mint in the garden and need to use it more often.