How to Make Vegetable Pasta Sauce With Zucchini From Your Garden

This time of year, gardeners generally have an abundance of zucchini and are looking for new ways to prepare it. This recipe makes a delicious and nutritious, vegetarian pasta sauce using zucchini and other vegetables from your garden.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 large zucchini, or 2 or 3 smaller zucchinis
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion
• Jar of red sauce
• Fresh basil, as desired, or a pinch of dried basil
• Pasta, prepared as directed on package
• Shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Parmesan cheese

1. Slice your zucchini if it is small. If it is larger than an inch or so in diameter, cut the zucchini into quarters and then slice. Slice the carrots. Chop the onion.

2. Add other vegetables, if you like, from your garden. Suggestions include garlic, mushrooms, broccoli, greens, chard, fresh tomatoes, sweet peppers.

3. Place all the sliced and chopped zucchini, carrots and onion into a large pot, either a dutch oven or a soup pot. Pour the red sauce over the vegetables. Stir to blend.

4. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer the sauce about 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender crisp. Add basil as desired.

5. Make extra and put some in the freezer for winter, because this freezes very well.

Tips & Warnings

• Meat can be added to the sauce if desired.
• Experiment with other spices, such as mint, oregano, thyme or rosemary.

[mvalora]

on 8/20/2009 Good recipe!

[jpeaceokc]

on 7/28/2009 Sounds very delicious.