Sunday, September 27, 2009

Fall Pasta Salad


Last year I had the most wonderful pasta salad from Whole Foods. It had butternut squash in it and let me tell you it was delish!! I came up with this similar recipe and it is really good also. Give this a try if you have butternut squash running out of your ears and are looking for new recipes. I like butternut squash any way you can make it! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek today.

Needed:
1 pound whole wheat pasta-boiled al dente
A 2 pound butternut squash-peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 pound of baby green beans-blanched with pasta
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese-grated
2 T garlic powder
1 T oregano
1 t cayenne pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

I place the butternut squash on a parchment lined cookie sheet with sides and pour olive oil on it. I then sprinkle on the garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. I like to coat my pieces evenly because I want every bite to taste good! Roast in the oven at 450' for 45 minutes. I like mine a little dark. Just check yours at 30 minutes if you just want the squash to cook through. Cook pasta til al dente. I put my green beans in the last 5 minutes of cooking the pasta. Once pasta and green beans are done, drain completely and mix with butternut squash and stir. I add a little more olive oil and salt and pepper to the pasta mixture. You can eat it warm but I like mine after it has been in the fridge overnight. I place a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top right before serving.