Sausage, Asparagus, and Ziti

Sausage, Asparagus, Ziti

 

     This dish was inspiration in and of itself. It's not a family recipe; it's not one I found in some cookbook or on the internet, it is just one I came up with on the fly. I had some left over half pound Italian sausage in the fridge as well as some fresh asparagus.  I also typically always have some cream lying around in the back of the fridge that I like to use up. I had a small box of ziti in the cabinet that I wanted to get rid of so I quickly came up with this very delicious dish. Add in some fresh thyme and white wine and you have a wonderfully sharp and kind of light pasta dish. 

 

     Asparagus is one of my all time favorite vegetables.  I love it grilled, lightly oiled, sprinkled with a bit a sugar and you have a wonderful caramelized veg with a bite. I like it rolled in prosciutto, sautéed in some balsamic, and of course baked or cooked in things.  When I decided to come up with this dish I thought what better way than to cook it slightly in the pasta sauce and create a great summer dish.   I hope you enjoy my Sausage, Asparagus, and Ziti.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 small bundle of asparagus cut into threes
• 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt/pepper
• Ziti pasta

 

     In a large skillet over high heat brown your sausage and remove from the pan. In same skillet add a little olive oil and sauté your asparagus for a couple minutes. Pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the sausage. Pour in the cream and thyme sprigs. Stir back in the sausage and turn down the heat and sauté for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water.  Toss with the sausage mixture, add a little fresh shredded parmesan cheese, and voila! You have a delicious and quick evening meal. I was surprised by how good this was. As I mentioned I had to use up what was in my fridge. The combinations of ingredients really are common to be used together but in many different ways. Give this dish a try. Quick and easy. Serves 2-4.