Name: Zucchini, Sweet Corn, and Basil Penne with Pine Nuts and Mozzarella
Yield: 5 servings
Ingredients: Fine sea salt; ¾ lb good-quality dried penne; 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small red or yellow onion (, thinly sliced); 2 large garlic cloves (, minced ); 2 medium zucchini (, cut into ¼-inch by 3-inch sticks Kernels from 2 ears fresh corn); ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (, coarsely chopped ); ¼ cup pine nuts (, toasted); 2 oz mozzarella cheese (, torn into bite-size pieces); 2-3 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice; Freshly shaved parmesan cheese (, for garnish); Your best extra-virgin olive oil (, for garnish ); Lemon wedges (, for serving ); Furmint

Zucchini, Sweet Corn, and Basil Penne with Pine Nuts and Mozzarella

Servings

5servings

Servings

5servings

Ingredients

Fine sea salt
¾lb good-quality dried penne
2tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 medium zucchini, cut into ¼-inch by 3-inch sticks Kernels from 2 ears fresh corn
¼tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1tbsp unsalted butter
1cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
¼cup pine nuts, toasted
2oz mozzarella cheese, torn into bite-size pieces
2-3tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly shaved parmesan cheese, for garnish
Your best extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
Lemon wedges, for serving

WINE PAIRING

Furmint

Instructions

BRING a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously (add 1 tbsp of salt for every 4 quarts). Cook the penne according to package instructions until just shy of al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving at least 2 cups pasta water for the sauce.
HEAT the oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown lightly, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the zucchini, turn the heat up to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini softens, 6 to 8 minutes. (You will need to add up to 1 cup of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, as the zucchini cooks and becomes dry and sticks to the pan.)
ADJUST the heat to medium and add the corn, ½ tsp of salt, the red pepper flakes, and the butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes more. Add the penne and ½ cup of the pasta water, and stir well to incorporate. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
TURN OFF the heat and add half of the basil, the pine nuts, and the mozzarella. Add the lemon juice to taste and stir well to incorporate it. Scoop the penne into individual shallow bowls, making sure to evenly distribute the zucchini and corn. Top with the remaining basil, a fresh shaving of parmesan, and a drizzle of your best extra-virgin olive oil. Serve with lemon wedges if you wish.

Recipe Notes

The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini • Workman Publishing • Photography by Matthew Benson