penne with zucchini pistou

Wow has it been a while! 

This dish is from a while ago, and GOSH was it delicious. (Forgive the phone snap shot of this pic, I accidentally deleted it on my photos).  It's vegetarian, but so filling and packed with flavor that you won't miss meat!  A 'pistou' is the French's version of a pesto, essentially.  This pistou has caramelized zucchini in addition to the already fabulous flavors of a regular 'pesto.'

Ingredients:

• 2 large or 3 small/medium zucchini
• 3-4 large cloves of garlic
• 1/3 cup parmesan
• a good handful of fresh basil
• any type of nut (optional), about a palm full
• 1 box penne pasta
• 1/2-1 C reserved pasta water
• Olive Oil

Directions:

• Chop your zucchini into medallions
• Heat some olive oil in a medium sized pan over medium/medium high heat
• Add your zucchini and allow the zucchini to caramelize (like the picture)
• Once the zucchini are tender and are golden brown, remove from heat
• Boil your pasta water (add salt!) and add your box of penne
• In a food processor, add 1/3 of your cooked zucchini along with your basil, parmesan, garlic, salt, and nuts (if using)
• While blending the ingredients, stream olive oil into the food processor to make the pistou
• Taste for flavor
• Once the pasta is done, add it (using a slotted spoon) to the zucchini that still hangin' out in the pan, and then dump your pistou mixture on top.  
• Add a little bit of pasta water to the mix as you stir everything together
• Grate some fresh parmesan over the pasta to incorporate, as well

This will easily be one of my favorite go-to dishes during the week because it's simple to make, it's PACKED with flavor, doesn't cost a lot, and saves well for leftovers!