Tuscan Tomato & Zucchini Squash Pasta

This dish is delicious with in-season tomatoes and zucchini from the farmer’s market. The tomatoes, hands down, make the dish. Add your choice of protein whether its diced organic Italian chicken sausage or ground grass-fed beef or poultry. If you choose the latter, you will need to be more generous with the salt.

Makes 2 servings. 
​Time: ~ 15-20 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 large cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Your choice of protein (2x chopped organic chicken sausage or ½ lb ground grass-fed meat)
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
Chili flakes to taste
2 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 large ripe beefsteak tomatoes 
2 large yellow zucchini (green is ok too)
½ cup red wine 
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
2 – 2oz servings of spaghetti pasta (cooked to package instructions)
Toppings: extra virgin olive oil, grated pecorino/parmesan, fresh basil
 
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta per package instructions. Julienne the two large zucchini into thin pasta like threads using a julienne peeler. Dice the remaining core and set aside. 
 
Meanwhile, heat a large cast iron pan over medium and add the olive oil. Once warm add the diced mushrooms, yellow onion, diced zucchini core, and your choice of protein. Season with fennel seeds and chili flakes. If using ground meat, season with ½ teaspoon salt. Once the meat is cooked and veggies tender, add the garlic and chopped tomatoes. Stir well and cover with lid. Let simmer on medium low. 
 
After about 5 minutes, add the red wine, stir, and cover with lid to retain moisture. Allow to simmer on low until the tomatoes are completely broken down and the mixture is soupy. Season with additional salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.  
 
Divide the zucchini noodles (zoodles) into two pasta bowls and heat briefly in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until tender. Top each with 1 serving of cooked spaghetti pasta and stir to combine. Divide the tomato sauce over top and garnish with a drizzle olive oil, grated cheese, and plenty of chopped basil. 

Notes: Jovial gluten free spaghetti pasta is one of the best GF alternatives. To keep recipe dairy free simply skip the cheese topping.