Bucatini Pasta with Italian Sausage & Kale
Everyone will be asking for seconds of this extremely satisfying dish.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh pasta of your choice, such as this week’s bucatini
1 sweet onion, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 bunch Lacinato kale, greens removed from tough rib ends and then roughly chopped
4 tablespoons freshly-chopped herbs, such as a combination of oregano, parsley and thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus an additional tablespoon for finishing
Grana-style cheese, grated
Fromage blanc, for topping
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cook the pasta for 5-7 minutes in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, or just cooked through with a bit of bite left. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, slice the Italian sausage links into bite-sized rounds and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through and no longer pink on the inside. Remove the sausage to a plate and set aside.
3. Wipe any excess grease from the skillet with a paper towel, then drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add in the onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the chopped kale and continue to sauté, stirring until the kale is just wilted.
3. Add the pasta and sausage into the skillet and toss to combine with the kale mixture; season with salt and pepper as necessary. Add in the herbs and toss once more; if the pasta seems a little dry, moisten with the reserved pasta water. Finish by sprinkling each serving with grated Grana-style cheese, a dollop of this week’s fromage blanc and an additional swirl of olive oil.
*This pasta is also delicious topped with some sautéed Black Trumpet mushrooms.
Sausage, Sweet Onion & Leek Scramble
This hearty scramble will fill you up to start your day.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
8 ounces breakfast sausage links
¼ cup milk
½ cup chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
½ Walla Walla sweet onion, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the butter or oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage links and cook through, breaking the sausage into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Then, add the leeks and onion and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 2-3 minute, until both are softened and fragrant.
2. Crack eggs and break over a shallow bowl. Break yolks with a whisk or fork, then whisk together with the milk, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Add eggs to the frying pan and mix with the sausage and vegetables.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally until eggs are set and no longer runny. Gently mix in the freshly-chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Summery Bucatini Pasta with Italian Sausage
This light and lovely pasta makes the best of summer tomatoes and herbs; we also recommend adding a dollop of this week’s fior di latte cheese to each serving!
Ingredients:
1 pound semolina pasta, such as this week’s bucatini
1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound mixed cherry and heirloom tomatoes, cut in half for the cherry tomatoes, and then in bite-sized chunks for the larger heirlooms
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
¼ cup julienned basil leaves
Fior di latte cheese, for garnish
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, red pepper flakes, shallot and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste, and allow to sit while preparing the rest of the dish so that the flavors meld.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, stir gently and cook until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain.
3. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, crumbling into bite-sized pieces, until cooked through and no longer pink. Add the tomato mixture and the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine. Stir in the basil and season with additional salt if needed. Transfer to individual serving bowls and add a generous dollop of cheese to each and drizzle again with olive oil before serving.
Sunday Supper Recipes
In the tradition of our own Nonna Pat’s long-standing Sunday suppers, this week’s box includes all the fixings for a vibrant Italian-inspired meal to share with your nearest and dearest—from fresh semolina pasta shells and Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage to garden-grown salad greens and pillowy-soft focaccia bread. Side dish-worthy produce such as fresh fava beans, jumbo asparagus and Cremini mushrooms, plus eggs from our heritage-breed laying hens, edible nasturtium flowers and living Genovese basil, all help to round out this robust meal.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette
A fresh blend of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic adds big flavor to grilled asparagus stalks.
Grilled Spring Onions with Lemon & Thyme
This recipe elevates spring onions to a stunning side dish.
Garlic Butter-Roasted Cremini Mushrooms
Roasted with capers and garlic, this simple dish is a real show-stopper.
How-To: Prep Fava Beans
Our quick guide to peeling and prepping fresh fava beans.
Fava Bean Dip
This simple, fresh dip enhances the inherent nutty flavor of fresh fava beans.
