Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 8 ounce spaghettini or other pasta (225 grams) (assumes moderate 2 oz per person)
  • 1/4 cup Optional garnishes: chopped parsley, fresh chopped basil, grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 cup vegetables, diced 1-2 inches (e.g. onion, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, eggplant)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced ((3 tsp))
  • 3 medium tomatoes, chopped ((or 1 can 375 ml diced tomatoes, drained - about 1 cup))
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup olives, chopped or 3 tablespoons olive tepanade (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (or to taste)
  • 1 lemon (2 tsp zest, juice from 1/2 lemon)
  • 4 cup fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

  • BEGIN SAUCE: Heat a large saucepan to medium high. Add olive oil. Add chopped vegetables and saute about 8 minutes until tender. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, olives (if using), capers, lemon juice, tomatoes and chili flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 3-5 minutes.
  • COOK PASTA: While sauteing vegetables, bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions Drain, RESERVING 1 cup of the pasta liquid. Put spaghetti back in the warm pot.  Add 1/4 cup of the liquid and cover. Set aside. 
  • FINISH PASTA: Add spinach to vegetable mixture. Stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add lemon zest. Add cooked pasta to vegetable mixture and stir to combine well.  Add pasta water a little at a time to get the consistency you like. Taste and adjust seasonings including salt and pepper if needed. 
  • SERVE: Transfer to a serving platter or serve straight from the pan. Add a drizzle of olive oil if desired as well as the garnishes you like. Pass extra Parmesan.