Last Taste of Summer Pasta

Well, everyone is talking about pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin flavored everything.  It seems as though the world was collectively bitten by the "Fall" bug and there is not turning back.

I bet people already have ideas in their minds about what costume they'll wear for Halloween and what sides would be good for Thanksgiving.

To all this malarkey, I say, "Slow down, people.  Let's live in the present."  

Presently, zucchini is still affordable at the grocery store.  We all know how I love me some zucchini.  It screams "Summer!" and is healthy to boot.

So, I created a last taste of summer in the form of pasta, so that I can cling to the hot days by the pool, the fair corn dogs and the pile of flip flops littering my closet floor.

Let's have one last hurrah, shall we?

Last Taste of Summer Pasta

serves like a million (ok, more like 8-10 people--it makes alot!)

1 box wheat pasta 

turkey sausage (or whatever kind of sausage you fancy), cut in quarters

2 medium zucchini, diced

1 large summer squash (or 2 medium), diced

1 cup chopped mushrooms

1 red pepper, diced

2 ears of corn, cooked and cut off the cob

1 cup shredded cheese (I used Gruyere)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 tbsp butter

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

salt & pepper to taste

4 cloves garlic, minced

Boil your pasta to al dente.  Throw 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet and melt it.  Toss in the diced peppers and cook for about 2 minutes.  Then add garlic and zucchini & squash.  Cook for about 5 minutes and then add the mushrooms and corn.  Toss it all around.  Season to taste.

Preheat the oven to 425 and spray a 9x13 pan with spray oil.

Throw in the pasta and veggies into the pan.  

Heat the other 2 tbsp of butter until bubbly and turning a little brown.  Throw in the sausage and sear for about 3 minutes.  Pour all of this goodness over the pasta/veggie mixture and stir it to combine.  

Top with grated Parmesan and shredded cheese and heat in the oven until melt-y (about 10 minutes).  Top with additional cheese if you are feeling saucy ;)

Have an awesome weekend.  I'll be back Monday with a craft (say what??!!)!