I first had this at my aunt and uncle’s house. My Uncle Reno, who’s 100% Italian, told me about how his mother used to go out in the garden, chop up a bunch of vegetables, saute them in a big pan, and serve them over pasta. It was so delicious, I had to try it out for myself. Mine is a lot different from his, but it’s one of my favorite dishes. I feel lucky to have made it for Popi months before he passed, when he could still eat; I got to cook for my grandparents, who have for years cooked for me. It was a wonderful feeling.
Anyway, this is my first photo essay, so I’m going to try to be less verbose. (But you guys know that won’t be easy.)
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole tomato per person
1 onion
a couple cloves of garlic
salt, pepper
basil, oregano, parsley (preferrably fresh, but dried is tasty, too)
grated cheese (I like a parmesan/romano blend)
pasta (angel hair, thin, or regular spaghetti)
Note: I forgot to get a shot of the diced up tomatoes, but thought they looked really pretty. They were so red and yummy looking! They were from Noni’s and Popi’s garden up at the lake.
Before you do anything else, put up your pot of water for the pasta, then chop up your tomatoes. Heat up your pan on low heat, lightly cover the bottom of it with olive oil, chop up your onion, and throw it in.
I like kosher salt best, but any rough salt — like ground sea salt — or regular table salt is just as good in the end.
Remember, keep your heat low, or else they’ll burn. It’s happened to me.
That photo should also say, “Turn up heat to HIGH.” You should add about a half cup to a whole cup of water, depending on how much. This sauce isn’t meant to be, um, saucy. It’s chunky with a little bit of juice. Simmer, and bring to a boil. The grated cheese thickens up the water.
Once your pasta is cooked, drain the water and add some olive oil to it to keep it from sticking (especially if it’s angel hair, although angel hair will still be sticky to some degree, so I recommend thin pasta).
Hot dog bun garlic bread makes a great side!
♦
More recipes coming soon! Try this one out and let me know what you think.
