With roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and corn, this pasta primavera is an ode to summer.
Servings: 4-6
Prep Time:15 Minutes
Cook Time:30 Minutes
Total Time:45 Minutes
Ingredients
1¼ lbs (2 pints)cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
4 shallots, thinly sliced
5cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
¼ cupextra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
2 teaspoonssalt
1½ teaspoonssugar
1medium zucchini, cut into ¼-inch chunks
1½ cupsfresh corn kernels, from 2 ears corn
12 ozfusilli (or similar shape) pasta
3 tablespoonsunsalted butter
1 teaspoonherbes de Provence (see note)
⅛ teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
½ cupgrated pecorino romano cheese, plus more for serving
½ cuptightly packed basil leaves, roughly chopped
⅓ cuppine nuts, toasted (see note)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.
Combine the tomatoes, shallots, garlic, olive oil, salt, and sugar on the prepared baking sheet. Toss with your hands or a rubber spatula until the vegetables are evenly coated. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are just starting to brown. Remove the pan from the oven and add the zucchini and corn. Toss with a rubber spatula (the tomatoes will collapse; that's okay) and spread into an even layer. Roast for 5 minutes more, until the zucchini and corn are tender-crisp.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, then add the pasta back to the pan. Add the roasted vegetables and all their juices to the pasta, along with the butter, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, pecorino Romano, basil, and pine nuts. Toss well, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon into pasta bowls and drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Serve with more grated cheese.
Note: Herbes de Provence can be found in the spice section of your supermarket. Most markets carry it but if you can't find it, dried thyme may be substituted.
Note: To toast the pine nuts, put them in a dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden in spots, about 3 minutes.