"A late summer garden has a tranquility found no other time of the year."
~ William Longgood
TURTLEHEAD
(Chelone obliqua)
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ROASTED EGGPLANT and RED PEPPER PENNE PASTA
~ Sunny combination of rich harvest and herb flavors, fresh basil, a must.
(Sutter Home Napa Valley Cookbook)
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2 red onions, sliced vertically into thin strips
3 seeded red sweet peppers cut into narrow strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary (1 tsp. crumbled dried)
1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh oregano (1/2 tsp. dried)
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 lb. penne pasta (or other favorite short tubular pasta)
1 cup chopped/shredded fresh basil
1 cup crumbled mild goat cheese or feta cheese
- Preheat oven to 375º.
- In roasting pan, combine eggplants, onions, and peppers. Add oil, garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt to taste, and generous sprinklings of freshly ground black pepper. Stir vegetables to coat. Transfer to oven and roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until eggplant is very tender when pierced with fork, 35-45 minutes.
- In small skillet, place pine nuts over medium heat and toast, shaking pan or stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Pour onto a plate to cool and set aside.
- In large pot, bring 4 quarts water to rapid boil over high heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Drop pasta into boiling water and cook, stirring frequently until tender but still firm to the bite.
- Drain pasta in in colander. Rinse past pot and return to stove over the lowest heat. Add drained pasta and roasted vegetables, stirring to mix thoroughly and heat through. Stir in toasted pine nuts and fresh basil.
- Divide pasta among warmed serving plates, sprinkle with cheese and serve. (8 appetizer servings - 4 main dish)
Suggested wine: Merlot or Zinfandel
Turtlehead
(Chelone obliqua)
Height: 2-3 feet
Bloom Period: midsummer - early fall
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6
Sun or partial shade
Comments
Thank you for your email. I shall send the receipt just as soon as I am back in the UK, probably in mid September, where I have all [!!] my cookery books.
That recipe is wonderful, all of my favorite ingredients.
Eileen
Hello, Meredehuit, as you can see, Turtlehead are delightful! Thank you fun new friend :)
Thanks, dear Kiki. They sure brighten up a shady area in the garden. Enjoy :)
we are in desperate need for rain. there is only so much watering one can do. i am tired of dust and brown. the pasta sounds wonderful. hope you are well my friend.
happy september.e
Love these cuties, Jan. Mine are exploding too!
Thank you, Jeff (my blog is so simple compared to most yet reluctant to change). I think you would definitely enjoy this plant!
Agree Tina. These are delightful since there is not much blooming in September.
Tried and true simple late summer favorite, Gail. Aw yes, a simple pasta is favorite too. Happy remains of summer!
Thank you, One. I love how our lives/gardens are different and why it's fun to share.
All is dry here too, Marmee, many lawns yellow :( Hey, it's still summer! Happy September, dear friend.
How kind, Chad. You can see why these are a September favorite. Thank you.