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Parmesan

Pasta with Spring Vegetables

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Adapted from the recipe by The Food Lab, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● Kosher salt
● 8 ounces asparagus, ends trimmed and cut on a bias into 2 inch segments
● 1 medium zucchini*, split lengthwise and cut into ¼ inch half moons
● 1 cup sugar snap peas*, remove the stem end and strings
● 1 cup broccoli rabe*, cut into ½ inch pieces
● 1 cup cherry tomatoes*, split in half
● ¼ cup olive oil*
● 2 spring garlic*, minced or grated on a Microplane
● 1 spring onion*, diced
● pinch of red pepper flakes
● 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter*
● 1 pound twisted or tubular pasta (reserve ½ cup of the cooking water)
● ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley*
● 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest and 1 Tablespoon juice
● 1 ounce Parmesan cheese*, grated plus more for serving
● freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until bright green and tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a fine-mesh strainer, transfer to colander and run under cold water to chill. Repeat with the zucchini, peas, and broccoli. Combine all the blanched vegetables in a large bowl, add the tomatoes and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion, cooking until gently sizzling. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until garlic is pale golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pepper flakes and toss until fragrant about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Set aside.
3. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water and return the pasta to the pot. Set over medium-low heat.
4. Add the vegetables, garlic/onion sauce, and half of the reserved pasta water. Stir until the sauce comes together and coats the pasta. Add more pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Stir in parsley, lemon zest and juice, and cheese. Season with pepper. Top with extra cheese.

Notes: The original recipe calls for summer squash (yellow), shelled fava beans, and frozen peas. Use your favorite in-season vegetables.

Beans and Greens

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Mark Bittman, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 8

Ingredients
* Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 1 pound of dried beans*
● 1 medium onion*, unpeeled
● 2 teaspoons salt
● 1 teaspoon pepper
● 2 bunches (about 3 pounds) escarole (or other greens such as broccoli rabe, kale*, or swiss chard*) with no stem over ¼ inch thick, well washed and roughly chopped
● 2 Tablespoons minced garlic, or more to taste
● ¼ cup olive oil
● 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or other aged hard cheese* of choice
● Optional garnish: fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions
1. Rinse the beans under running water, picking through them for stones or debris. Soak them if you have the time, and put them in a large pot with enough cold water to cover by about three inches. Add the onion. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat so bubbles are barely visible. Cover the pot tightly and let the beans cook undisturbed for 45 minutes.
2. Try a bean. If it’s at all tender, add the salt and pepper. Make sure the beans are still covered by about an inch of water. Add a little more if necessary. If the beans are still hard, don’t add seasoning yet and make sure they’re covered by about two inches of water, if not, add some.
3. Return the liquid to its very gentle bubble and cover. Now start checking for doneness every 10 to 15 minutes and if necessary add enough water to keep the beans just submerged. Small beans will take as little as 15 minutes or more. Older or larger beans can take up to an hour or more. If you haven’t added salt and pepper yet, add them when the beans are just turning tender.
4. Add the greens and cook until they are tender, 10 to 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the stems. If you want a soupy mixture add more water. Remove the onion. A few minutes before serving, stir in the garlic and olive oil. Spoon the beans and greens into bowls, and garnish with Parmesan and breadcrumbs.

Notes: Use any white bean. Substitute dried with canned beans.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

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AdobeStock

Recipe by Two Peas & Their Pod
Prep & assembly time: 15 mins
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

For the Dressing:
● ⅓ cup olive oil
● 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
● 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar*
● 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup*
● 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
● 1 clove garlic*, minced
● Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

For the Salad:
● 1 lb Brussels sprouts*, ends trimmed
● 1 large Honeycrisp* apple, chopped (or 2 small apples)
● ½ cup dried cranberries
● ½ cup sunflower seeds
● ⅓ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese*
● Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
1. First, make the maple mustard dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, mustard, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
2. Next, shave the brussels sprouts. Use a food processor with the slicing attachment and pulse until the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced. You can also use a mandoline or sharp knife if you don’t have a food processor.
3. Place the shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Add the chopped apple, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss well. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Summer Squash Pasta Bake

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Recipe by the Smitten Kitchen, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 4 large portions

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Photo by Pattie Garrett

● 8 ounces pasta*, use your favorite
● 1 Tablespoon olive oil
● 1 pound summer squash*, halved lengthwise and sliced thin
● salt and pepper
● pinches of red pepper to taste
● Juice of half a lemon
● 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter*
● 5 scallions*, sliced thin and white parts and green tops in separate piles
● 2 cloves garlic*, minced
● 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
● 1½ cups milk*
● 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
● ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley*, divided
● 1 Tablespoon finely chopped mixed herbs* of choice (thyme, oregano, mint, basil)
● salt and pepper to taste
● ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan (or similar hard rind)* cheese, divided
● 4 ounces of mozzarella* cut into small cubes

Instructions
1. Cook the pasta in a 3-quart oven-safe deep skillet. Otherwise use a large pot. Cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Prepare the squash by heating the skillet used for the pasta on high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and allow to heat until very hot. Add squash and season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Let it sear underneath, unmoved until golden brown. Continue to saute until browned. Transfer to a bowl and squeeze lemon juice over the cooked squash. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
4. To make the sauce, heat the now empty skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter. Add scallion white parts and garlic and let sizzle for 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until all has been dampened and absorbed. Add milk in very small splashes. Stir the entire time. Make sure each splash has been fully mixed into the butter/onion mixture. Scrape the bottom of the pan and all-around before adding the next splash of milk. Repeat until all the milk is added then add the lemon zest, salt, pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer together for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce will thicken. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in half the parsley, all the herbs, and reserved scallion greens.
5. With the skillet off the heat, add the drained pasta, summer squash, ½ cup Parmesan and all of the mozzarella. Stir to combine. If the skillet is oven proofed, bake it the skillet. Otherwise, transfer to a 2 to 3-quart ovenproof baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with reserved parsley and serve hot.

Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta

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Recipe adapted from The Spruce Eats, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 6

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 12 ounces of pasta*
● 2 teaspoons olive oil
● ½ cup onion*, minced
● 2 garlic cloves*, minced
● 10 ounces fresh spinach*, roughly chopped
● 1-ounce fresh basil, chopped
● 1 cup ricotta cheese*
● ¼ cup milk*
● freshly ground pepper
● 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese or Pecorino cheese

Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn’t brown.
3. Add spinach and basil to the skillet and stir until wilted.
4. Add ricotta cheese and milk to skillet and stir well.
5. Drain pasta, reserving ¼ cup or so of the cooking water.
6. Combine cooked pasta and ricotta mixture in a large bowl. If too thick, add a bit of the cooking water to the mixture.
7. Serve with freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of cheese per serving.

Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Carbonara

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Recipe featured on damndelicious.net, adapted by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Makes 4 servings
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min

Ingredients
*All ingredients are currently available at the farmers’ market
● 8 ounces spaghetti*
● 2 large eggs*
● 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan*
● 4 slices bacon*, diced
● 2 cloves garlic*, minced
● Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
● 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves*

For the roasted cauliflower and butternut squash:
● 16 ounces cauliflower florets*
● ½ a butternut squash*, peeled and cubed
● 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil*
● 3 cloves garlic*, minced
● 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves*
● Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
  2. Place cauliflower florets and butternut squash cubes in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil, garlic and thyme; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently toss to combine.
  3. Place into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and golden brown; set aside.
  4. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve 1/2 cup water and drain well.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan; set aside.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes; reserve excess fat.
  7. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low.
  8. Working quickly, stir in cauliflower, pasta and egg mixture, and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, cooking until desired consistency is reached.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with thyme, if desired.
Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett