Cold Summer Pasta with Vegetables

For one of those nights where you don't want to eat anything hot! This pasta is also chalk-full of fresh color and summer vegetables.

Cook 6 oz gobbetti pasta according to package instructions - although the original called for the spiral-shaped cavatappi, I still can't find a vegan version of that, so I use Bionaturae's spiral-shaped gobbetti. (www.bionaturae.com/) In the last minute of cook time, add 1/2 cup (1-inch) slices of asparagus and 1/4 fresh shelled green peas. Although the original recipe didn't call for it, I also added 1/2 cup slices carrot, since they were yet another gift from my friend's garden, and i figured the more vegetables the merrier.

Drain, then rinse under running cold water and drain again before transferring to a large bowl. Add a teaspoon and a half of olive oil and toss to coat.

Add: 1/2 cup (halved) red cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup (halved) yellow cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped orange bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped yellow squash, and a teaspoon and a half chopped fresh chives.

Note: I couldn't find yellow cherry tomatoes, but one regular yellow tomato, seeded and chopped to equal half a cup worked just as well.

In a small bowl, combine a tablespoon and a half olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, a dash of black pepper and one and a half minced garlic cloves (or two small ones). Pour over the pasta mixture, and toss well to combine.

You can serve this either at room temperature or chilled. Have two cups worth for 340 calories.

A note on shelling peas - this was the first time that I did not opt for the easy way out - packaged frozen peas - and bought snap peas to shell. So I didn't realize how many it would take even to produce a quarter cup! I bought about 20 peas, which yielded maybe half what I needed, so when you're grocery shopping for this recipe, don't underestimate.

Cost:
asparagus $4.35
green peas $1.40
red cherry tomatoes $2.49
yellow tomato $1.76
red bell pepper $1.81
yellow bell pepper $1.44
orange bell pepper $1.16
yellow squash $0.79
chives $2.99
lemon $0.79