Guest Post: Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe


September 4, 2011

Short Presents is expanding! As you may have noticed there has been an extreme shortage (no pun intended) in posts lately; this is due largely in part to my recent move, and frequent employment.  When an avid reader noticed the road block she kindly offered to pitch in, and so Short Presents is happy to present you, today's delicious post brought to you by Leslie. Read as she shares her wisdom in feeding three very hungry boys.
 
Photo Credit: Skinnytaste.com

Fall must be coming... when I looked at the local zucchini I got at the grocery store, I didn't think "mmm, grilled with balsamic vinegar" but "mmm...pasta sauce to eat now and freeze for later". With school starting, a busy job, and a husband who works shifts, plus all the after school activities for the kids, it’s nice to have something homemade from the freezer to pull out for a quick dinner.  When I make things like pasta sauce, I always make a big batch – enough for a few meals, frozen in dinner-sized amounts. If you’re going to do the work, you might as well get the most out of it!  This applies to chili, soups, and stews too…go big or go home, or rather, homemade!


Big Batch Pasta Sauce.

2 medium onions diced fine
2 tbsp chopped garlic (vary to taste)
- sauté in about 1 tbsp olive oil until translucent.
Add chopped veggies – 4-8 cups, depending on what you have: carrots, zucchini (take out seeds), mushrooms, peppers of all kids.  Try to make the sizes about equal so they cook at the same rate.
Saute until soft
Add 2-3 cans of diced tomatoes (or whole if you don’t have diced)
1-2 tbsp freeze dried basil (less if not freeze dried)
2 tsp oregano
2 tbsp sugar
1 small can tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer until thick and flavours come together – about 1-2 hours

Optional: sauté 2 lbs ground beef/turkey/chicken until no longer pink, drain, add to pot with tomatoes.



TASTE the sauce!  If it needs more of something, add it. Remember you can always add salt and pepper later at the table. This turned out so yummy I ate a bowl. Of just sauce. Before bed.

Good on rigatoni, spaghetti, or use to make a lasagna.

Thanks Les and
happy Sunday,
sp


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