Spiced-Up Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Pasta

Ingredients
1/4 cup Ontario greenhouse yellow, orange or red bell peppers, finely chopped
1/4 cup Ontario greenhouse tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
1/4 cup eggplant, peeled and diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup shallots, peeled and diced
1 pound dry spaghetti noodles
4 sprigs of fresh thyme, picked and diced
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary, picked and diced
7 basil leaves, sliced
1 tbsp. chili flakes

Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the dry spaghetti noodles. Cook until al dente for 10 minutes.

In a large skillet, sauté the shallots, then add the bell peppers and eggplant. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine. Add the garlic and reduce.

Drain the pot of water and add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the skillet.

Sauté the spaghetti noodles, then add the chopped fresh herbs, tomatoes and chili flakes.

Divide the noodles into 6 bowls and serve immediately.

Finishing Touches
This finishing touch is sure to add an artistic flair to your pasta. To make basil crisps, pour vegetable oil (about 1 1/2 inches) in a medium Dutch oven. Heat to a temperature of 300°F/149°C and add fresh basil. Using a slotted spoon, flip the basil leaves over to complete frying. Scoop out and drain excess oil on a plate lined with paper towels.

Serves 6

Nutritional Facts per serving: Calories: 310; Fat: 2 g (3 %); Saturated Fat: 0.4 g + Trans Fat: 0 g (2 %); Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 5 mg (1 %); Carbohydrate: 60 g (20 %); Fiber: 4 g (16 %); Sugars: 2 g; Protein: 11 g; Vitamin A: 6 %; Vitamin C: 15 %; Calcium: 2 %; Iron: 20 % (% = % Daily Value)

Recipe and photo used with permission from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, www.ontariogreenhouse.com