Zoo Animal Pasta, Veggies, and Pesto

My boys helped me with this one from start to finish!  I have learned over the years that they more they help with the preparations, the more likely they are to eat it!  This is a pretty basic dish - but I love making food from scratch with fresh ingredients, it tastes so much better!  I made this entire dish in about 20 minutes, you could certainly add chicken, shrimp, or even scallops to give it a little bit more "bulk".

Zoo Animal Pasta, Veggies, and Pesto

Serves 4

For the pesto:

2 cups fresh packed basil leaves

3 garlic cloves

1/2 cup pine nuts

2/3 cup - 1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

For the pasta dish:

16 oz small pasta (I found zoo animal pasta at World Market)

1 zucchini, chopped

1 yellow squash, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

Olive Oil

1 tablespoon dried Italian Seasoning

To make the pesto, add the basic, garlic, and garlic to the food processor and pulse until chopped.  Add the cheese and pulse again.  With the food processor running, slowly add the oil until the pesto is a good, sauce consistency.  You may have to scrape the sides of the food processor.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To complete the dish, cook the pasta in salted boiling water, until al dente.  While the pasta is cooking, heat some olive oil in a pan and saute the garlic, zucchini and yellow squash 4-5 minutes, or until browned. 

Once the pasta is done, drain and dump back into the pot.  Add the cooked vegetable mixture, the Italian Seasoning, and add some of the pesto.  Stir the pasta, add more pesto if needed until everything is covered!