PASTA WITH MARINATED TOMATOES AND SUMMER HERBS

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Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Summer Herbs image

The easiest summer dinner known to man, pasta con salsa crudo, is a one-bowl, infinitely variable riot of seasonal flavors. It can be made with fancy Italian tuna and local heirloom tomatoes for foodies, or with supermarket mozzarella and tomatoes for children, or with excellent olives and extra pine nuts for vegetarians. It puts you in the kitchen for about a half-hour at the tail end of lunchtime. After that, all there is to do is cook the pasta, and serve with or without crusty bread, boiled corn, sliced tomatoes, or a nice, simple green salad.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, quick, pastas, appetizer, main course

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

About 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, halved or quartered if small, diced if large
Salt
2 cans olive oil-packed tuna or 1 pound mozzarella cheese, diced (optional)
2/3 cup pitted oil-cured black olives, halved, or 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped, or 3 tablespoons capers (optional)
2/3 cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint, chives, cilantro, scallion tops, or a combination), more for garnish
Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)
About 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds short pasta, like fusilli, farfalle or penne
Hot red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Steps:

  • Up to 4 hours before serving, put tomatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle all over with salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, then drain off liquid.
  • Add tuna and its oil, olives or capers, if using. Add herbs and zest. Add olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and stir gently, flaking tuna into pieces. Cover and set aside at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook pasta in plenty of boiling salted water. Drain very well. Combine tomatoes and pasta well, then taste and add more oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Sprinkle with pine nuts, if using, and chopped herbs. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 617, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 88 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 510 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

P Biswas
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Overall, I thought this pasta dish was very good. It's a great option for a summer meal.


Daneila Curry
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I'm not a huge fan of tomatoes, but I really enjoyed this pasta salad. The tomatoes were perfectly marinated and the herbs added a nice touch.


Mohamed Hussein
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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this pasta dish. It's light and flavorful, and the herbs really shine through.


CMP Variety
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This pasta salad is so easy to make and it's so delicious. I can't wait to make it again!


Alisha Easton
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I've tried several different pasta salads, but this one is definitely my favorite. It's the perfect balance of flavors.


gift kyalo
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This pasta dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids love the sweet tomatoes and the flavorful herbs.


Sahzahd Kashmiri
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I love the combination of tomatoes, herbs, and pasta in this dish. It's a great way to use up fresh summer produce.


Enock TV
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This pasta salad is perfect for a summer party or potluck. It's always a crowd-pleaser.


Rose Solomon
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I was looking for a light and refreshing pasta dish for summer and this one fit the bill perfectly. It's so flavorful and easy to make.


Eri
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I'm not usually a fan of pasta salads, but this one is a game-changer. The flavors are amazing!


M Sadi
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This pasta dish is so easy to make and it's packed with flavor. I love that it's a one-pot meal.


zack kacem
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I've made this recipe several times and it always comes out perfectly. It's a great weeknight meal.


Michelle Duhaney
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The marinated tomatoes in this dish are incredible. I could eat them on their own!


Lal Bilal
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I made this pasta salad for a picnic and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination.


Hammad Rasool
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This pasta dish is a summer staple in my kitchen! The marinated tomatoes are bursting with flavor and the herbs give it a light and refreshing taste!