Greens Gone Pasta

There is one sure fire way to get people (children, reluctant spouses/partners – present adult company excluded!) to eat their veggies. Garlic! At least that's one secret. The other is pasta. That's why this pasta dish gets the greens gone, especially mild mannered farm friends like spinach.

Seriously, if it works on my little/big guy, it will work on anyone. And don't forget the hard sell. Don't just serve, talk it up. Doesn't this smell awesome? Did you know orecchiette means “little ear”? Italians can make sauce using starchy water…basically say anything except you'd better eat the spinach.

I like a one bowl supper too-it saves on dishes. In fact, if push came to shove, this dish could be made with one pot as well. Cook the pasta first, save a cup of the cooking water and then proceed. I used 2 pots as it's modestly faster. Just decide which is more important to you – pot washing or speed?

Ingredients:

1 pound-ish turkey sausage, in lumps, casing removed

Olive oil

1 red onion, sliced or chunked

1-2 bell peppers, sliced

3 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 cup wine

1 packet fresh baby spinach or 1 bunch

10 ounces orecchiette

1 tablespoon butter (opt.)

Grated cheese like Parmesan (opt.)

Start pasta water and cook according to directions. Meanwhile add a dollop of olive oil to large skillet. Medium heat. Brown the sausage on all sides and cook through. Remove. Add onions, salt & pepper. Cook 3-5 minutes. Add bell pepper & garlic. Cook 3-5, watching the heat. Pour in wine, raising heat and cook until it's mostly absorbed. Add spinach and drained pasta. Toss to let spinach cook. Put sausage back in skillet with enough pasta water to make a sauce. Swirl in butter.

Decorate with cheese & watch them eat spinach – B

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