Like many other types of food, Italian pasta recipes tend to change their nature and composition with the changing of the seasons. You may want the heavier, meatier dishes like spaghetti and meatballs or the thick, meaty, cheesy layers of lasagna during the dead of winter. But as spring progresses into summer, you may find yourself leaving the meat recipes on the shelf and favoring something lighter, with spring vegetables as the main elements. These pasta dishes can accommodate any season and any mood.
Even the name of pasta primavera loosely refers to spring. But some claim it isn't really Italian, since it was introduced to American society by Le Cirque restaurant in New York. Yet according to Foodreference.com, the chef there received it from the painter and writer of Italian cookbooks, Edward Giobbi. So it may be one of the genuine Italian pasta recipes after all. This spaghetti dish uses the first tomatoes of spring, with fresh basil, parsley and garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, making it a lovely lighter dish for the emerging springtime.
Another of the Italian pasta recipes that will work well in spring is pasta pomodoro. The flavor of this dish resides primarily in the pomodoro sauce itself, which begins with the typically Italian combination of tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. You can use some creativity to personalize the dish, adding ingredients such as mushrooms, peppers or sauteed onions. This dish is said to go especially well with poultry, so you might want to add chunks of cooked chicken to the sauce.
Italian pasta salads also become prominent as spring progresses, and they too can be light or a little heavier. Some recipes are as simple as tossing some pasta with fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and basil. There are more complicated versions as well. Epicurious.com has a wonderful recipe for Italian sausage pasta salad which includes a sautee of sausage, broccoli, and zucchini tossed with fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese, olives and wine. Or you could make a vegetarian version of this dish by eliminating the sausage or substituting tofu.
That's something that makes Italian pasta recipes so versatile and almost universal. They can please the most voracious meat-eater, and yet vegetarians who continue to eat cheese can make just a few alterations and enjoy their own versions of the same recipes. Many of the recipes, especially the spring salads, are quick and easy to prepare. Yet someone who wants to take the time to make a rich meat sauce can turn their pasta meal into a hearty main course. Italian cuisine and pasta in particular, can serve almost any occasion and please almost any palate.
Even the name of pasta primavera loosely refers to spring. But some claim it isn't really Italian, since it was introduced to American society by Le Cirque restaurant in New York. Yet according to Foodreference.com, the chef there received it from the painter and writer of Italian cookbooks, Edward Giobbi. So it may be one of the genuine Italian pasta recipes after all. This spaghetti dish uses the first tomatoes of spring, with fresh basil, parsley and garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, making it a lovely lighter dish for the emerging springtime.
Another of the Italian pasta recipes that will work well in spring is pasta pomodoro. The flavor of this dish resides primarily in the pomodoro sauce itself, which begins with the typically Italian combination of tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. You can use some creativity to personalize the dish, adding ingredients such as mushrooms, peppers or sauteed onions. This dish is said to go especially well with poultry, so you might want to add chunks of cooked chicken to the sauce.
Italian pasta salads also become prominent as spring progresses, and they too can be light or a little heavier. Some recipes are as simple as tossing some pasta with fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and basil. There are more complicated versions as well. Epicurious.com has a wonderful recipe for Italian sausage pasta salad which includes a sautee of sausage, broccoli, and zucchini tossed with fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese, olives and wine. Or you could make a vegetarian version of this dish by eliminating the sausage or substituting tofu.
That's something that makes Italian pasta recipes so versatile and almost universal. They can please the most voracious meat-eater, and yet vegetarians who continue to eat cheese can make just a few alterations and enjoy their own versions of the same recipes. Many of the recipes, especially the spring salads, are quick and easy to prepare. Yet someone who wants to take the time to make a rich meat sauce can turn their pasta meal into a hearty main course. Italian cuisine and pasta in particular, can serve almost any occasion and please almost any palate.
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Nothing beats the taste of fresh pasta made right in your own home. And surprisingly, it's not difficult at all to make. Click here to learn how a pasta roller machine such as the Imperia pasta maker can make it easy for you.
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