5 Step Grilled Vegetable Pasta Recipes

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes (reserving the juice for another use if desired). Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes with your hand, adding them to the saucepan as you go. Season with salt and pepper. Add the basil and parsley sprigs (reserve the chopped herbs for later) and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a very low simmer for about 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
• While the sauce cooks, heat a large double-burner grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the pepper, squash, zucchini and onion with the remaining tablespoon olive oil, making sure to coat all sides. Sprinkle with salt and grill, turning once, until well-marked and crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on the vegetable. Transfer the onion to a large mixing bowl. Transfer the pepper, squash and zucchini to a cutting board and cut crosswise into strips. Add to the bowl with the onion and cover with foil.
• Cook the penne in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Remove the herb sprigs from the sauce and stir in half of the chopped herbs. Add to the bowl and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta in bowls topped with the remaining chopped herbs and Parmesan.

GRILLED-VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD WITH PARSLEY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Blend parsley, vinegar and garlic in processor until parsley is finely chopped, scraping down sides of bowl twice. With machine running, gradually add 1/2 cup olive oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Rinse under cold water and drain again. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place smoke chips in 8x6-inch foil packet with open top. Set packet atop coals about 5 minutes before grilling.
• Brush corn, zucchini and onion with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill vegetables until cooked through and beginning to brown, turning often, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut kernels from corncobs. Cut zucchini and onion into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add corn kernels, zucchini and onion to pasta in large bowl. Mix in enough vinaigrette to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In Dutch oven or 4-quart saucepan, cook linguine to desired doneness as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix tomatoes, basil, 4 tablespoons of the oil, the salt and pepper; set aside.
• In small bowl, mix remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the garlic. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, place eggplant, bell pepper, summer squash and onion. Brush with oil-garlic mixture.
• Place eggplant, bell pepper, summer squash and onion pieces directly on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 8 to 12 minutes, turning frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Coarsely chop vegetables; add to tomato mixture. Add chèvre; mix gently.
• Drain linguine; place on serving platter. Top with vegetable mixture and Parmesan cheese.