Greetings, green thumbs and food lovers alike! Today, we’re marrying our love for gardening with our passion for fresh, home-cooked meals. Featuring your garden’s summer stars—heirloom tomatoes and basil—we bring you an incredibly fresh and vibrant pasta recipe. So, let’s dive right into our garden-to-table culinary adventure!
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of your favourite pasta
- 2 cups of freshly picked heirloom tomatoes, diced
- 1 large bunch of garden-fresh basil, leaves picked and torn
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of the best quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese
- Zest of one organic lemon (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook Your Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook your pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Remember to reserve about a cup of pasta water for later use.
- Prep Your Sauce: While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté until the garlic is lightly golden—about 1 minute.
- Add Tomatoes: Add your diced heirloom tomatoes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then stir everything together. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until the tomatoes start to break down and release their juices.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Once your pasta is ready, drain it and add it to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss well to combine, adding the reserved pasta water little by little as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Add Final Touches: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in most of the torn basil leaves, the cheese, and the lemon zest (if using), reserving some for garnishing.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among bowls. Garnish with the remaining basil, a sprinkle of cheese, and an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your garden-fresh meal!
Conclusion
This recipe is a celebration of the vibrant flavors of your summer garden. So, next time you’re wondering what to do with that bounty of heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil, remember this simple yet flavorful pasta dish. Share this recipe with your fellow gardeners and foodies, and don’t forget to show us your garden-to-table creations!