Fusilli Provencal

A delicious Mediterranean-style pasta and vegetable toss.

Recipe Ingredients:

Salt
1 cup trimmed and chopped string beans (2 inch lengths)
1 pound dried or fresh fusilli or another short, chunky pasta shape
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, thickly sliced
2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
12 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained of excess oil and cut into 1/4-inch strips
2 cups milled or crushed canned Italian plum tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. Bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. When the water boils, add the green beans and cook about 8 minutes, until tender all the way through; with a slotted spoon, transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking.
2. Return the water to the boil. Add the pasta, stir well, and cover until it returns to the boil. Uncover and boil until just tender to the bite all the way thorough.
3. Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a skillet (with a lid) large enough to hold the pasta later on, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, stir, cover and cook 4 minutes. Add the cooked green beans, both kinds of tomatoes, oregano, and salt to taste, and cook, uncovered, 2 minutes more.
4. Reserving 1/2 cup cooking water, drain the pasta in a colander. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix well, adding a few tablespoons of pasta cooking water if needed to coat the pasta evenly. Cover and cook 1 minute. Taste for salt. Serve immediately, generously sprinkled with Parmesan.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.