Penne Pasta with Zucchini and Summer Squash Recipe  

July 16, 2008 | By john | 3 Comments »

With my “Penne Pasta with Zucchini and Summer Squash Recipe” you can lose weight and go vegetarian all in the same meal!

This healthy recipe will help you do all kinds of things at once. If you want to lose weight you have to learn to eat a big lighter at sometimes, and there’s no better way than to eat a vegetarian meal about once a week for your main dish. This recipe is easy to make, has little prep time, and the leftovers go great in your lunchbox the next day.

Ingredients to get started:

  • 1 lb Penne Pasta
  • 1 medium fresh Zucchini (about 10″ long and 2″ around)
  • 1 fresh yellow summer squash (same size as zucchini)
  • About 4-5oz freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
  • About 1 cup sliced black olives
  • 2 freshly chopped garlic cloves
  • 1/4 Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and 2 tbsp
  • fresh ground pepper
  • salt to taste

So, to get started place 2 quarts of hot water in a 4 quart pan on the stove on high heat to boil. Throw a dash of salt in there. While it’s coming to a boil, cut off the ends of your zucchini and squash and cut lengthwise. Then, hold those 2 slice together and slice in 1/4″ slices like a cucumber to both the zucchini and the squash. Chop up your 2 garlic cloves and set aside. In a medium sauce pan place the veggies (except garlic) about about 2 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat. You’re going to cook and stir them about 6-8 minutes.

When the water boils add the Penne Pasta. Stir every minute or so, it should be done just about the time the zucchini and squash are cooked, or just a minute or two after. Drain the pasta, place back in pan after rinsing and draining, and add the 1/4 cup olive oil, olives, and garlic, and stir. Add the zuchinni and squash and mix well. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix well one last time. This can feed 6+ depending on the size of your serving dishes (and appetites). Once the dish is plated, grind some fresh black pepper on top and serve!

Of course with a dish like this there are countless things that you could add, but I find sometimes simplicity is best. The taste of the pasta with the cheese and sweetness of the squash and tartness of the black olive is the perfect contrast.

This recipe is part of my quest to find the fastest weight loss diet.

Vegetarian Pasta
Vegetarian Pasta
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Category: Main Dish, Pasta, Recipes, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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3 Comments »

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2008-07-16 14:20:48

[...] homemade recipes down at the blog Free Online Recipes, and this week was a good example. I made Penne Pasta with Zucchini and Summer Squash last night – and it was one of the best things I’ve made in a long time. When you make a [...]

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Comment by Anna
2008-07-18 13:28:03

This sounds really good. I always have zucchini in the summer, though I planted them a little late this year, so I’m always looking for good recipes to use them. Also, not just for losing weight, but also for summer meals, light is good.

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Comment by Teresa
2008-07-23 21:57:00

Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to try it!

My Blog: Growing Piggy Bank

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