Linguine with Spinach, Summer Squash and Mozzarella

Serves

Ribbons of savory spinach, chunks of tender summer squash, fragrant basil leaves and fresh mozzarella form a tasty medley for a quick pasta dinner.

Finished with a zesty gremolata and plenty of Parmesan cheese, it's a delicious vegetarian meal with tons of summertime flavor.

Ingredients

1 pound linguine
  salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
2 small zucchini (trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices)
2 small yellow (summer) squash (trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices)
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
  Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
10 ounces Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach
2 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
1 cup bite-size fresh mozzarella balls
1/4 cup minced fresh flat leaf parsley
  grated zest of 1 large lemon
1 tablespoon capers (chopped)

Directions

To make the gremolata, add the parsley, lemon zest, and capers to a small bowl and stir to combine thoroughly. Set aside. (The mixture can be refrigerated, covered, if you’re making it several hours ahead of using.)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt and the linguine. Cook the pasta al dente: just tender but still firm to the bite. Reserve at least 1 cup of the cooking liquid and drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper and shallots, and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the squashes and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is barely crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season the vegetable medley with salt and pepper to taste.

Using tongs, transfer the linguine to the skillet, and add about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Stir in the spinach and basil, and cook until the greens wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, or more if the mixture seems dry. Cook until the mozzarella just begins to melt, about 1 minute, then remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the gremolata and serve immediately, with more Parmesan as garnish, if desired.