Farmer's Market Pasta

Farmer's Markets are everywhere nowadays. Twenty or so years ago, it would have been difficult to find produce from local growers, now on any given day here in New York City there are several markets running. You can find a market close to you fairly easily. Some will argue that farmer's markets are the best place to shop, others argue that they are overpriced. For me, I think they are fantastic. I walked to a market by my apartment and found some amazing produce from local farmer's.

I bought garlic still on the stalk, fresh tomatoes, great looking summer squash, and a bunch of fresh arugula. I decided to pair those items with a basic tomato sauce (see my spaghetti al tonno post) and fresh fettuccine to make a wonderfully fresh salad. Go to your local farmer's market this weekend and find your own ingredients for a great pasta dinner. Enjoy! 

Ingredients (serves 2):

Basic tomato sauce recipe

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 summer squash

2 tomatoes

2 garlic cloves

2 cups arugula

1/2 lb. fresh fettuccine

sea salt & black pepper

1. Make your tomato sauce ahead of time. Make enough for just the two of you or make a full batch for the week. Put the heat back on the sauce before you start to cook the vegetables.

2. Slice your squash, roughly chop your tomatoes, clean your arugula, and set aside.

3. Boil water in a pot for your pasta. Heat a pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil and garlic cloves with the skin on. Let the garlic brown for 3 minutes. The skin should easily come off once the garlic cooks.

Note: Cooking garlic with the skin on yields more flavor.

4. Add the squash and tomatoes to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes. If you are using dried pasta instead of fresh, add the pasta to the water at the same time. 

5. Reduce the heat on the pan and add sauce to vegetables. Add your fresh pasta to the water and cook for 3 minutes until al dente.

6. Drain your fettuccine and add the the pan with the vegetables and sauce. Mix in thoroughly. Add your arugula to the pan and work in.

7. Remove from the pan and serve.