5 Step Grilled Vegetable Pasta Food

5 STEP GRILLED VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat grill on high heat. Prepare pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
• Peel the red onion then slice into thick rounds. To keep the rounds intact while grilling, insert 2-3 toothpicks around the outside edge; set aside.
• While the grill is heating and pasta is cooking, whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add the vegetables to the bowl (peppers, eggplant and onion) and toss well to coat.
• Place vegetables on a single layer on the grill and cook until slightly charred and tender, about 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once. Keep the bowl and any reserved marinade next to your grill. When vegetables are done cooking, from the grill and place back in the bowl with the reserved oil mixture.
• When vegetables are cool enough to touch, remove from bowl and roughly chop into bite-sized pieces. Place back in the bowl with the reserved oil mixture along with the cooked pasta. Add cheese and basil then toss again. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes (reserving the juice for another use if desired). Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes with your hand, adding them to the saucepan as you go. Season with salt and pepper. Add the basil and parsley sprigs (reserve the chopped herbs for later) and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a very low simmer for about 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
• While the sauce cooks, heat a large double-burner grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the pepper, squash, zucchini and onion with the remaining tablespoon olive oil, making sure to coat all sides. Sprinkle with salt and grill, turning once, until well-marked and crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on the vegetable. Transfer the onion to a large mixing bowl. Transfer the pepper, squash and zucchini to a cutting board and cut crosswise into strips. Add to the bowl with the onion and cover with foil.
• Cook the penne in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Remove the herb sprigs from the sauce and stir in half of the chopped herbs. Add to the bowl and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta in bowls topped with the remaining chopped herbs and Parmesan.