Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pasta with Shrimp and Vegetables

In case you were wondering ... Yes. That's another snowfall. Granted, it's being washed away by the rain now - but how silly is that picture? Someone needs to tell Mother Nature the date. Or bring her sacrifices - maybe a pasta dinner.
This is one of my favorite pasta dishes. It looks a wee bit intense - but do remember:
- you can prep the vegetables ahead of time and throw all together when you serve
- the shrimp goes in with the pasta
- you can change the vegetables easily
- you can eliminate the shrimp
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It makes a splashy presentation and I bet even Mother Nature's snowy fury would subside after she had some of this.


Think of it as a Pasta Primavera - but for all seasons.
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Pasta with Shrimp and Vegetables: Serves 6 (or more)
3/4 pound penne pasta
1 lb shrimp (I do like jumbo for this), peeled and deveined
1/2-3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 carrots, cut into matchstick pieces
20 green beans French cut (or ... cough expensive haricot verts)
1 jar marinated sun-dried tomatoes (optional - I like the sweet though)
1/2 cup basil pesto
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You may prepare the vegetables while the water boils for the pasta or do it ahead of time. Just cook the pasta according to package instructions. Warm a little olive oil and add the characters. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes - until tender. Blanch the green beans - 1 or 2 minutes in boiling water depending on their size. (Sometimes, I actually make the green beans more tender by slicing them in half and taking out the seeds. Sometimes.)
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About three minutes before the pasta is done, add the shrimp and cook all together. When pasta is done, drain and add all the vegetables. Toss with the feta cheese and the pesto. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper and serve.
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The tangy cheese, garlicky pesto and sweet vegetables make me want to dance the tarantella through the Italian countryside. A nice thought for a snowy October evening.
If so inclined (truly not obligated!): Tuscan-inspired sirloin tip roast

28 comments:

Miranda said...

Yum. This is awesome. I love shrimp and every vegetable known. LOL.
Great post.

Wanda..... said...

Intense is good Claudia...wish I had a plate full in front of me now!
The snow is working it's way over to Ohio, snowflurries are predicted for the weekend.

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Pasta, feta and shrimp! I would change my behavior for this dish! Looks just delicious.

Kim said...

This pasta sounds great, especially with the bite from the feta. I can't believe you have gotten two snowfalls already. It's been such a cold and rainy fall already. Happy weekend!

Donna-FFW said...

This sounds fantastic, I love how you can change it up.. and I always enjoy feta with shrimp, great combo.

Lucia said...

Hmmm...looks delicious, I'm thinking of adding asparagus instead of green beans!

OysterCulture said...

I heard there was some snow in MN and now I have evidence with my own eyes - wow, fall has come early.

Pasta Primavera should put you in a better mood - that combination of flavors just makes you grin.

I may have to make that because here in SF its just damp and drizzly -I need to put a smile on my face, at least hubby's.

janet said...

Mmm, veggies, pasta and pesto, yummy!

Table Talk said...

Hard to believe snow this early--we have the gray, drizzle and cold here in the south. This dish will warm you up though!

Anonymous said...

Delicious pasta! I love the feta here and the idea of putting in different vegetables, excellent dish!

Reeni said...

We had snow here too! And look at us using similar ingredients on the very same day! I love everything about this - especially how comforting it looks. I couldn't get the link to work - it says problem loading page.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wow, Claudia, your trees don't even have any leaves left! I guess winter is there to stay.

I love a primavera with shrimp...it's filling and healthy!

Heather S-G said...

Perfecto!! I can't believe you have that much snow already. We had some flurries the other day, but no way no how is it allowed to "stick" before my birthday. It's a rule. (early November) LOL :D Your pasta looks delicious...and what do you mean skip the shrimp!? No way :D

theUngourmet said...

I know one thing, if I was mother nature it sure would calm me down! :D

figtree said...

Your photo of the snow is sooo pretty. Your pasta dish looks delicious. Figtreeapps

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Oh no, more snow. It's 42 here in the mountains and we've had more than our share of rain, but please, no snow.

Your pasta with shrimp, which is my favorite, looks so good right now.

It's Pink Saturday and I have an award for you. Stop by my kitchen when you get a chance.
Sam

Barbara said...

Nothing like pasta to warm you up- and it looks like you may be having a long winter! Your recipe is great and quick and easy to substitute when you have something else in the fridge. Thanks!

Katy ~ said...

Toooo early for snow!! I protest!!

This looks delicious, filling, and comforting, with a hint of summer. Just what we need on a snowy day.

Well done1

Nancy said...

Delicious! I love the combination of shrimp and basil pesto. And the addition of sun-dried tomatoes is such a great idea.

chow and chatter said...

yummy pasta dish the snow does look pretty though lol

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I love the idea of warm weather meal during your first cold blast!

This looks fantastic!

NKP said...

Mmm, sounds delicious! I love pasta in any form.

rosasdolcevita said...

Yum! I love anything pasta ... especially with shrimp and feta! And so easy too...

Juliana said...

Nice picture of the snow...although I like the warm weather :-)

The pasta looks terrific...so tasty with all the flavor in it...definitely yummie!

Velva said...

the scenery is beautiful! I just turned off the a/c this past weekend. Up till now, we have still been grass and sweating :-)

The pasta dish looks realy good. This dish would be perfect for a light, delicious supper or weekend lunch.

Barbara GF said...

Anything with pasta is good, Claudia. I could subsist on that alone.
Mother Nature can be quite the trickster.

My Little Space said...

Pasta for such a weather! Perfect with a cup of hot coffee or hot cocoa with marshmallows. yum!

La Bella Cooks said...

Now this is right up my alley. It's hard to resist a delicious shrimp pasta especially one full of veggies too.