ZUCCHINI, CORN, AND BASIL FUSILLI WITH BACON

SERVES6

• ACTIVE TIME:10 MIN
• START TO FINISH:20 MIN

Summer's bounty gets even better when it's combined in a fresh-tasting pasta.

• 6 bacon slices
• 1 lb fusilli
• 3 ears corn, kernels cut from cob
• 1 1/2 lb zucchini, coarsely chopped (1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 (5- to 7-ounce) container basil pesto

• ACCOMPANIMENT:

  grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

• Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp. Drain on paper towels; discard drippings from skillet.
• Meanwhile, cook fusilli in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water, then add vegetables to pasta in pot and cook, partially covered, 2 minutes (water will stop boiling). Drain.
• Add pasta with vegetables to skillet along with pesto and 1/4 cup reserved cooking water and toss. Season with salt and moisten with additional cooking water if necessary.
• Top with crumbled bacon and a generous amount of freshly ground pepper

Fusilli With Peppers, Zucchini, and Feta

I love quick, refreshing meals. Ones that you feel took virtually no time to prepare, yet are still just as satisfying as the 4-hour-long fancy schmancy dinner. It almost feels like cheating.

This dish is just that. A cheaters’ dinner. A summertime tease. It’s got all the fresh and exciting flavors of summer, but something you can eat while the air is still brisk. We’ve had a few 70+ degree days here in Nashville the past couple of weeks. It’s funny how one warm day can change your entire mindset. I’m in summer mode now, and no 30-degree nights with our heat running can change that.

Fusilli With Peppers, Zucchini, and Feta

Makes 4-6 servings. Recipe from Delish.

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb baby bell peppers, seeded and quartered lengthwise (or regular bell peppers, sliced into 1/2″ thick slices)
1 large red onion, halved and cut into thin strips
16 oz. long fusilli pasta
2 zucchini, cut into 2-inch sticks, 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a 5-quart Dutch oven; add peppers and onion and stir to combine. Cover pot; cook 10 minutes, stirring often.

Add pasta to boiling water; cook according to package directions. While pasta cooks, add zucchini and olives to onion mixture and cook uncovered, 10 minutes, tossing frequently, until vegetables are tender.

Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add pasta to vegetables and add feta cheese, black pepper, and reserved cooking water; toss. Transfer to a pasta serving bowl