Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 pounds zucchini, cut in half lengthwise then into 1/4-inch slices

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 pound plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

5 tablespoons wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh-ground black pepper

1 pound bow ties

1/3 cup olive oil

Cooking Directions

In a large frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add the garlic, zucchini, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. 

Transfer the zucchini to a large stainless-steel, glass, or ceramic bowl and stir in the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the bow ties until just done, about 15 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the marinated zucchini and the remaining 1/3 cup oil.

Yield: 4 servings

Still Hungry?

Garden-fresh zucchini and tomatoes make a beautiful pasta, perfect for a warm summer night's dinner. It can be served hot or at room temperature, either for four as a main course or for eight as a side dish--with grilled chicken, for instance.

Notes:

Variation: Balsamic-Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties For a sweeter dish, you can substitute an equal amount of balsamic vinegar in place of the wine vinegar called for in the recipe.