Summer Vegetables with Pasta

Rustic pasta with vegetables, herbs and broken pieces of long ziti. Purely vegetarian with a light taste. Great to serve on a hot summer’s day. Enjoy the last of summer veggies with this simple satisfying dish.

Recipe

*2 Tablespoons best olive oil
1 Cup sweet red onion-peeled, halved, sliced
2 Cloves of garlic-sliced thin
1 Red bell pepper-cut into bite size pieces
1 Yellow bell pepper-cut into bite size pieces
1/2 Cup sliced black or greek olives
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Cup torn basil leaves
1/2 Cup chopped Italian parsley
1 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 Pound long ziti-broken into roughly 2 inch pieces-cooked al dente in plenty of salt , drained, set aside in large bowl

In a large skillet add the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion for about 2 minutes then add the garlic and bells and continue until all is al dente. Add olives to the mixture and stir for about 1 minute or so. Add a bit of salt and ground pepper. Remove from heat and add to cooked pasta along with the basil leaves, 1/4 cup or the parsley, and Parmesan. Serve with a garnish of parsley.

*To keep dish moist more olive oil can be drizzled or save some liquid from the pasta cooking. Ours was just perfect with an extra tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup pasta liquid. You may also use chicken broth if desired.