Bacon, Zucchini and Asparagus Pasta

Food in a flash was the title that caught my eye in the October issue of Australian Good Taste magazine.  I’m a fan of simple, wholesome food prepared with minimal time in the kitchen and this dish is ready in 15 minutes!  And, look at all the vegetables in one dish.  Did you know that asparagus has strong cleansing effects on the kidneys and bladder? Asparagus flushes out acid wastes so fast that you can smell the ammonia in your urine shortly after eating it. Perhaps that’s why it’s called, “The Stinky Vegetable“!  Zucchini is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C and a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, folate, copper, riboflavin, and phosphorus.  Parsley is sometimes regarded as just a lonely table garnish but it packs a ton of healing properties.  Check this site out for more details.


Serves 4
recipe from Australian Good Taste
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300g dried angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
125g bacon, thinly sliced
3 anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
2 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed, cut into 1cm lengths
3 garlic cloves, crushed
3 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
75g (1/4 cup) cream cheese
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves (roughly chopped if you like)

Cook pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente.  Drain.  Meanwhile, heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat.  Cook bacon, stirring, for 1 minute.  Add anchovy and cook for 1 minute or until it dissolves.  Add the zucchini, asparagus and garlic.  Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the vegetables start to soften.  Add the tomato, cream cheese and lemon juice.  Simmer 1-2 minutes or until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add the pasta and parsley and toss to combine.

The Culinary Chase’s Note:  As Jamie Oliver would say:  “Easy Peasy”!!  The salt from the anchovies and smokey flavor from the bacon are flavors that seem mingle well with the other ingredients.