Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Almost everyone loves pasta but this dish is especially flavourful with the addition of raw garlic. It delivers a fabulous kick to the sauce, which in this recipe is made from fresh ripe tomatoes.
Tahini (ground sesame seed butter) and lemon may seem strange compliments to tomato but trust me, they are the surprise ingredients that add a robust creaminess and zest, conquering the need for cheese. The chewy penne -cooked al dente - is a wonderful contrast to the juicy crunch of green pepper and zucinni. Of course you can substitute any vegetables you prefer.
A colorful, healthy, no fuss meal, that comes together in a very satisfying way. And if you don't like garlic, just skip it, you will still have a delicious dinner.
There are many variations of this dish. I will be including them as this website grows. Sometimes I make a similar sauce for pizza combining a pre-made spaghetti sauce with the tahini and lemon, instead of the fresh tomato base. Our family loves that sauce on spaghetti with lots of heat from chili peppers. But this garlicky version is so far my favourite. Serves four.
The Ingredients
- 4 cups penne pasta
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, cut in wedges
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 1 tsp. oregano
- tbsp. basil
- 1 large zucchini, sliced
- 1 large green pepper, cut in 1 inch strips
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed butter)
- juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- freshly ground black pepper
Cook the penne in a large amount of salted water until it is tender but slightly chewy (al dente).
Meanwhile heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add the onions, tomatoes, and spices. Cook on medium heat until the tomatoes break down into a sauce, stirring frequently to avoid sticking. (If your tomatoes are not very juicy after they have broken down you could add 1/4 cup of water.
Throw in your zucchini and green peppers and continue cooking for about three to five minutes until they are tender crisp. Do not over cook.
Remove from the heat, add the tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. When the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet and mix well. Sprinkle with black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Garlic may help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancer. It may also regulate blood sugar levels.
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