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Home > Zesty Loaded Pasta with Vegan Chorizo

Zesty Loaded Pasta with Vegan Chorizo

Included In Cookbook: 

Ingredients

1 pound
Organic Fusilli Pasta (we used Andean Dream because it is gluten-free and made with quinoa)
 
Olive Oil
1
Small Yellow Onion (diced)
4 cloves
Garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons
Dried Italian Seasoning
1
Medium Red Bell Pepper (seeds and core removed and cut into small pieces)
2 1⁄2 cups
Shitake Mushrooms (sliced)
2
Small Yellow Straightneck Squash (quartered lengthwise and sliced into bite-sized pieces)
12 ounces
Trader Joe's or Other Vegan Chorizo
8 ounces
Myoko's Creamery Mozzarella Cheese (or other vegan mozzarella, cut into small cubes)
1⁄2 cup
Torn Basil Leaves
 
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper to Taste
1⁄4 cup
Pine Nuts (lightly toasted)
 
Nooch It Vegan Parmesan (for serving at the table)

Description

This pasta had its inception with the purchase of tromboncini squash seed (Trombetta di Albenqa) from Renée’s Garden, one of our favorite seed suppliers. Since we have been growing to supply local food pantries during the pandemic, we have needed an ever-increasing amount of this summer squash because of its popularity. In case you are not familiar with it, this heirloom is a vigorous climbing vine with 8-12-inch lime-green fruits best enjoyed while small before the skin turns thick and tan. (We often pick them while the flowers are still in bloom.) The flesh is seedless and less watery than zucchini with a mild taste. On her site, Renée had posted several tromboncini recipes, which we printed for the future. One was perfect for the two small straightneck yellow squash in the fridge in place of tromboncini, which is generally not available in markets. The following recipe is what evolved based on what else was in the fridge. Feel free to alter it using your favorite vegetables or whatever you happen to have on hand.

Summary

Yield
Servings
Prep time30 minutes
Cooking time30 minutes
Total time1 hour

Instructions

  1. Set a large pot of water over a high heat to start it boiling. (When it boils add a touch of olive oil and salt and stir before adding the pasta, following directions on the package and taking care not to over-cook. When ready, drain, rinse lightly and set aside.
  2. Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat to medium. Add onion and reduce heat taking care onions do not burn. Cook until translucent.
  3. Add garlic and Italian seasoning and sauté for a couple minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add bell pepper, mushrooms, and squash and cook for several minutes until a fork can pierce them.
  5. Remove chorizo from skin and crumble into the pan, stirring gently over a medium-low heat.
  6. Rinse drained pasta under hot water and gently toss by hand in colander. Add to vegetables.
  7. Fold in cubed mozzarella and basil and cook until pasta is heated.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Place pasta in large bowl and top with toasted pine nuts, serving the parmesan on the side. Serve hot and eat immediately.  

Notes

1. Be aware that many vegan sausage and chorizo brands have wheat gluten in them.

2. Nooch It is a nutritional yeast-based product for those unable to eat yeast.