Thursday, October 21, 2010

Fall Harvest Pasta


Made a delicious fall pasta tonight. Very hearty and healthy with all that squash!


FRESH VEGETABLE PASTA

Even though butternut squash is a winter squash, you can find it in larger supermarkets this time of year. It's packed with vitamins A and D. To lower the amount of sodium in the recipe, use a low-sodium broth and reduce the amount of saltcalled for.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes minutes
Other Time: 30 minutes minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings

1 (2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
Vegetable cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup chopped leek (about 1 medium)
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
16 ounces uncooked penne pasta
1/2 cup frozen baby sweet peas
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/4 cup shredded Italian three-cheese blend
Garnish: fresh sage leaves

Place squash cubes on a large aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle
squash with 1 teaspoon oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss
to coat.

Bake at 425° for 25 to 30 minutes or until squash is tender and golden, stirring occasionally.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add leek, and
sauté 5 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Remove from
heat, and set aside.

Process butternut squash, vegetable broth, and half-and-half in a food processor until smooth.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and oil. Add peas to boiling water during
last 2 minutes of cooking time; drain.

Return pasta and peas to pan. Stir in leek mixture, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped sage, and crushed red pepper. Add processed squash mixture, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with Italian three-cheese blend. Garnish, if desired, and serve immediately.

CALORIES 386 (11% from fat); FAT 4.8g (sat 1.3g,mono 1.7g,poly 0.3g); IRON 3.6mg;
CHOLESTEROL 3.3mg; CALCIUM 132mg; CARBOHYDRATE 73g; SODIUM 1149mg; PROTEIN
14g; FIBER 6.1g

Southern Living, APRIL 2005

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