PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH SHRIMP

I have always wanted to create a Pasta Primavera with Shrimp recipe, but you see…I am very particular about vegetables. I had to come up with the perfect combination to my liking…and I did just that. Head on over to your local Farmer’s Market and grab all of the fresh veggies for this recipe. I love all of the fresh produce Unity Farms has to offer here in Charlotte. Feel free to change up and add in your favorites! It is a rather simple recipe…just a bit time consuming, as I like to cook the veggies separately. Bear with me as I walk you through. This way you are not left with a pile of mush. Believe me, it can happen as the vegetables cook and release water.

I also decided to add shrimp to this recipe…feel free to leave out. I used a cast iron pan to prepare mine…grilling the shrimp would also work quite well!

Start boiling your water for the pasta…do NOT forget to salt your water. Prepare pasta to al dente as you are preparing the other ingredients.

In a bowl, add in tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, salt/pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the shrimp and allow to marinate as you prepare the veggies.

Heat up a pan to medium-high. Add in your mushrooms. I typically allow the mushrooms to brown on their own…meaning I do not add oil to the pan…I lightly salt at the end. Remove when the mushrooms have browned a bit, but still have a bite and reserve on a plate.

Add a touch of olive oil to the same pan. Add in your broccoli…season with kosher salt. Cook until broccoli slightly browns. Remove and reserve on plate with mushrooms.

Add another touch of olive oil to the same pan. Add in your zucchini and yellow squash slices. Season with a touch of salt. Remove and reserve on plate when brown and softened just a bit.

To the same pan, add in a touch more olive oil, the orange peppers and asparagus. Season with salt and pepper. Soften just a few minutes and add to plate to reserve.

Whew…lastly…to the same pan…add in a tablespoon of olive oil, the butter, red pepper flakes, garlic and cherry tomatoes. Allow the tomatoes to soften and break up just a touch.

Add in the heavy whipping cream…allow the sauce to thicken…this will take only a few minutes.

Remove from heat. Carefully, fold in the reserved cooked veggies and coat thoroughly with the sauce.

Heat up a cast iron pan, or if you prefer, the grill. Place shrimp and allow to sear on both sides. If you are using the jumbo shrimp, like I did in this recipe, it will take about three minutes per side to thoroughly cook through.

In a bowl, add the cooked pasta and pour in the veggie/sauce mixture. Stir with a pasta fork to coat the pasta…try not to break up the veggies. Top with the seared shrimp and lemon zest! If you desire, garnish the Pasta Primavera with Shrimp with freshly grated Parmesan cheese…ENJOY! Want a slightly healthier version of this recipe using scallops. Take a peek at my Seared Scallops with Summer Vegetables Pasta.

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