Waking Web Farm

by Guy Edkins

What could be better than a creamy pasta dish? A creamy pasta dish made with Waking Web vegetables of course! Like those contestants on tv recipe shows where they have to devise a recipe built around groceries that somebody else select each week I crave the similar challenge with the veggies from the ladies of Waking Web.

This week I decided to marry a few flavors I love; altogether in pasta-based dish. I used 2 purple daikon radish, 2 hakurei turnip and 1 large zucchini and 1/4 cup of scallion, all from the good earth of Waking Web Farm!

Cut the radish, turnip and zucchini into (1/4 inch) cubes. Lightly chop the scallion. Put all of them a microwave bowl with 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt. Cover and place in microwave for 3 minutes. Then drain and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Prepare a large skillet with 3 tablespoons avocado oil and bring to just below smoking temp, about 450 degrees. Add the drained vegetables. Cook until zucchini starts to brown slightly. Stir and lift often, but gently. Drain your 12 ounces of pasta reserving one cup of water. Add pasta, reserved water, 1/8 cup chopped basil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and veggies back into pasta pan. Stir gently to mix until butter is melted. Add 2 to 3 ozs. grated provolone and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese to pan. Mix to form a creamy mixture. Add small amounts of water if dry. Serve immediately.

The smoke flavor of a good provolone contrasts nicely the daikon radish. The turnip and zucchini add texture and flavor.