Fiddlehead Pasta Primavera
Similar to asparagus in texture and flavor, cooked fiddleheads are a tasty addition to soups, stir-frys, quiches and omelettes. This delicate springtime pasta is chock-full of colorful veggies for a fresh, flavorful and filling dish.
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Ingredients
- 6 oz whole-grain angel hair pasta
- 1 lb fresh fiddleheads, papery husks removed, trimmed and washed thoroughly (TIP: If fresh are unavailable, use 1 lb thawed, rinsed and well-drained frozen fiddleheads.)
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1 tbsp whole-wheat flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 carrot, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Fresh-grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Preparation
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add fiddleheads and cook for 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well and transfer to a paper towel–lined bowl to dry completely. (NOTE: If using frozen fiddleheads, omit this step.)
- In a small bowl, whisk milk and flour; set aside until flour dissolves.
- In a large skillet, heat oil on medium. Add carrot and bell peppers and sauté, stirring often, for 2 minutes; add fiddleheads and sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Stir in milk mixture, broth, lemon zest and pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until liquid thickens, about 5 minutes.
- To fiddlehead mixture, add pasta, lemon juice, basil and parsley and toss to combine. To serve, top with cheese.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 2 cups
- Calories 277
- Carbohydrate Content 48 g
- Cholesterol Content 1 mg
- Fat Content 5 g
- Fiber Content 5 g
- Protein Content 13 g
- Saturated Fat Content 0.5 g
- Sodium Content 74 mg
- Sugar Content 6 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 0 g