This dish features a garnishing tool that is popular amongst Garde Mangers around the world. A parisienne scoop is easy to use and can help solve the age-old problem of how to get the kids to eat their vegetables. The small spheres make the vegetables fun and exciting, and the bright colors make the dish very appealing to the eyes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup turned carrot balls (from about 1 pound of carrots)
- 1 cup turned zucchini balls (from about 1/2 pound of zucchini)
- 1 cup turned yellow squash balls (from about 1/2 pound of yellow squash)
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmiggiano-Reggiano
Directions
Peel the carrots and pierce with the parisienne scoop at a slight angle (this may require a little effort because carrots are so fibrous), then twist the scoop back and forth until the small ball is formed and slips from the carrot. Continue this process with the carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash until you have 1 cup each.
Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the carrot balls and cook for 1 minute, or until the water returns to a boil. Remove and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside. In a large 1 1/2-gallon pot, bring 1 gallon of water to a boil and season with salt. Place the penne pasta in the pot and return to a boil. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large 12 to 14-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil and heat for 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until translucent and slightly browned around the edges, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini and squash and continue sauteing the vegetables for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the carrots and cook for 1 minute. Season with the salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley and toss to evenly combine.
When the pasta is al dente, drain in a large colander and transfer the cooked penne to the saute pan along with the cooked veggies. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and toss to blend. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. To serve, divide the pasta among 4 pasta bowls and sprinkle with some of the remaining freshly grated Parmiggiano-Reggiano. Serve immediately.
Photo: Penne Pasta with Vegetable Pearls Recipe
















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By r_nesbit_9892996
Madison, MS
on August 29, 2008
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We made this dish the first time and fell in love! It is now a frequent in our house - even my kids will eat this one! There is not one thing I tweak or change about it other than the dicing of the veggies. This recipe would take FOREVER if you made the little pearls. Just dice them fairly small and you get the same effect.
PERFECT!!
By prenderkath
Inverness, IL
on October 19, 2007
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What a tasty dish. It's easy and fast, especially if you simply dice the vegetables. It's also beautiful. I added a small ladle or two of the pasta water to the combined dish in the saute pan so that it had a little more moisture. Just enough to coat the bottom of the pan, then let it cook down for less than a minute. Amazing. This is sure to be a keeper! Thank you Emeril!!
By toni_basler2000...
Incline Village, NV
on May 15, 2007
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I make these vegetables with and w/o the pasta. Rave reviews. The little pearls are adorable, different and delicious. Now that I have the idea I use other vegies too like yellow beets.
I got the pearl maker at sur la table.
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