Whole-Wheat Pasta Salad with Grilled Zucchini and Olives
- 1 1/2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped fine
- 2 garlic cloves, minced and mashed to a paste with 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil (preferabley extra-virgin) plus additional for brushing zucchini
- 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/3-inch-thick slices
- 1 pound whole-wheat penne or other tubular pasta
- 2/3 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, chopped coarse
- 6 ounces ricotta salata or feta cheese, diced
- 1 1/2 cups whole small or torn large fresh basil leaves
- In a large bowl gently stir together tomatoes, onion, garlic paste, vinegar, and 1/4 cup oil
- Brush one side of zucchini slices lightly with additional oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderate heat until hot and grill zucchini, oiled sides down, in batches, brushing tops with more oil before turning, 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until just tender but not soft.
- Transfer zucchini as grilled to a small bowl.
- In a kettle of salted boiling water cook pasta until just tender and drain well.
- Add hot pasta to tomato mixture and toss well.
- Cool pasta slightly and stir in zucchini, olives, cheese, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pasta may be made 4 hours ahead and kept covered at room temperature.
- Serve pasta warm or at room temperature.
tomatoes, red onion, garlic, redwine vinegar, olive oil, zucchini, penne, black olives, ricotta salata, fresh basil
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/whole-wheat-pasta-salad-with-grilled-zucchini-and-olives-12252 (may not work)