something new. For as long as I have been in my house—17 years, where did that
time go?—I have grown my own herbs. Each spring I plant basil, parsley, and
rosemary, and watch with delight as my chives, sage and mint come gloriously
back, season after season. I routinely cook with these herbs, adding a fresh
touch to my summertime meals. But this year, I decided to branch out. We
removed our swing set and in its place I planted four zucchini plants! I LOVE
zucchini. (My family does too). My
zucchini illustration is the first water color picture I painted for my book, Poems
on Fruits & Odes to Veggies, and, if you have ever seen me speak, you
know how much I love to shout the word ZUCCHINI! So, it seemed only fitting
that this would be the crop I should grow. —
I will post pictures of my
zucchini crop so you can all see its progress. (This picture was taken on June
8th). And I will post recipes too so you can cook up some zucchini
right along with me.
If you aren’t growing your
own zucchini, buy some at the grocery store, or at the farmers market! And remember, healthy eating starts with a
poem. Give me a shout out at judy@aimwrite.net if you have a zucchini recipe you would like
to share with me!
Zucchini & Parsnips Over Pasta
Ingredients
3 – medium sized zucchini
3 – medium sized parsnips
3 T extra virgin olive oil
Several shakes of sea salt
1 pound whole wheat pasta
Parmesan cheese to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 425
Peel Parsnips – dice
Peel Zucchini – dice
Place veggies in shallow
baking tray. Drizzle with EVOO and
sprinkle with sea salt
Place in oven and roast for
one hour
While veggies are cooking,
bring water for pasta to boil
Cook one pound of whole
wheat penne pasta, according to package
Drain
Mix pasta with veggies.
Sprinkle with Parm cheese and enjoy!
Author/illustrator of the children’s picture book "Poems on Fruits & Odes to Veggies–Where Healthy Eating Starts With a Poem,"
public speaker, health food enthusiast and mom Judith Natelli
McLaughlin is here to help introduce your family to some fruits and
veggies they may not know about, while reintroducing them to some old
favorites, too. Her goal is to educate AND entertain and get you to
remember that healthy eating starts with a poem.
