Cool Summer Quilt, Zucchini stuff including a recipe & "the weekly count"

This quilt is so fresh & cool looking - perfect for summer.

Beautiful batiks.

So, as you can clearly see, it is August.  This is the first four loaves of the season.  DH had some for breakfast with peanut butter, and he managed to choke out the words:  "good zucchini bread, wife".  If you want my recipe, it's in THIS post.

ZUCCHINI REPORT
Picked this week (up to Aug. 5th):  10
Picked YTD:  46

On one of my excursions down to the dungeon,  I mean the fruit cellar, I noticed that I still have LOTS of jars of diced tomatoes from last summer.  And I have lots of zucchini in the fridge.  Oh, what's a girl to do???
Step 1:  pour a glass of wine.  Hah.  That's always my first step. 😀
Step 2:  get out the Looneyspoons cookbook.  That's usually my second step.  I love (!) that cookbook.  But sadly, Janet & Greta didn't have anything written up that would get rid of some of those two items that I NEEDED to use.  So I had to get creative.  And let me tell you - it was very, very good.  I've made this twice now so it was not a mistake.

Penne Pasta with Tomato Sauce, serves 4

Loosely based on Lawrence of Arrabbiata, Looneyspoons collection

4 sausages, any flavour seem to work

1 ½ c. chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup of any of the following optional additions – add as many as you like: diced zucchini, diced mushrooms, sweet peppers

1 small hot pepper such as jalapeno (optional)

1 quart jar of diced tomatoes (or a large can)

2 tbsp. tomato paste

½ tsp either crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper (you might want to skip this if you used a jalapeno – your choice)

1 tbsp. Balsamic or red wine vinegar

1 tbsp. each dried basil and dried oregano

12 oz (340 g) uncooked penne pasta, about 4 cups dry

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

·         - In a large frying pan cook the sausages until they are nicely browned.  Drain off fat but leave the crusty bits for flavour.

·         - Remove the sausages to cool for a bit.  When cool enough to handle slice into ¼” thick coins.  Set aside.

·         - Into the dirty frying pan add the onions and the garlic, sauté for a few minutes.  Add a bit of water if necessary to prevent sticking & burning.

·         - Add the optional vegetables and the jalapeno, sauté until they start to soften.

·         - Add the diced tomatoes, and stir for a few minutes, scraping up any crust from the pan.

·         - Add the tomato paste, vinegar, and the sliced sausages.

·         - Leave that pan to simmer gently for about 10 minutes.  Pour yourself a glass of wine.

·         - MEANWHILE...put a large pot of water on to boil.  Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and return to the pot.

·         - Add the contents of the frying pan to the pot.  Combine and leave to sit off the heat for a few minutes, giving the flavours a chance to meld. 

·         - Add the parmesan.  Finished!!