Since I don’t eat a lot of pasta anymore, this blog is sadly lacking in pasta recipes. Recently, however, I needed to make a dish for a potluck, and since asparagus is once again affordable, I decided to make my generic, go-to pasta salad (even if it’s definitely not salad weather here in frosty Mississippi). I call it “A to Z Pasta Salad” because the vegetables you can use start with Asparagus and end with Zucchini—so many variations are possible. The one unbreakable rule is to use only fresh vegetables and blanch them to soften slightly rather than cook them until mushy. Even at this time of year, it’s refreshing to have a touch of spring on the dinner table.
A to Z Pasta Salad
Use any fresh vegetables you like, instead of or in addition to the asparagus and zucchini. I’ve had great success with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, yellow squash, mushrooms, and artichokes. Try to use only fresh herbs, if you can get them, and use a salad dressing that you know you like.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces extra-firm lite tofu, not silken (Or instead of marinating and baking tofu, substitute 1 can of chickpeas, drained)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 clove garlic, slightly crushed
- 1 pound penne or spiral pasta (use gluten-free rice pasta, if necessary)
- 1 bunch asparagus, tough ends removed and sliced into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 yellow or red pepper, chopped
- 8 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved if large
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh herbs of choice (I used basil, oregano, and parsley)
- your favorite fat-free Italian salad dressing, to taste
- salt and fresh pepper, to taste
- optional: sliced black olives, added just before serving
Instructions
- Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch slices, and press each one gently between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut each slice into half-inch cubes.
- Mix up a marinade of the soy sauce, cider vinegar, water, and garlic. Put the tofu into a bowl or zip-lock plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Allow it to marinate for at least an hour, up to overnight, turning or stirring the tofu once in a while to make sure it all gets covered.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Remove the tofu from the marinade (discarding the marinade and garlic) and place it on an oiled or parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, and then turn and bake for 10 more. Edges should be just beginning to brown. Place the tofu cubes in a large serving bowl and toss with a little Italian dressing.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. (Add a small amount of salt, if you want.) Once it boils, drop the asparagus and zucchini pieces into it and blanch for exactly 1 1/2 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon into a bowl filled with cold water. Once they have cooled, add them to the tofu.
- Use the same pot of boiling water to cook the pasta according to package directions. Once it reaches the al dente stage, drain it in a colander and rinse it with cold water. (Be careful not to overcook; you want it to still have some “bite” to it so that it won’t fall apart in the salad.) Drain it well and add it to the tofu and vegetables. Add the yellow or red pepper, tomatoes, and herbs and toss with enough salad dressing to coat but not drown the pasta. Add salt and fresh pepper to taste, and serve chilled or at room temperature. Makes enough for a crowd!
Preparation time: 15 minute(s) | Cooking time: 45 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8
Nutrition (per serving, without dressing): 251 calories, 14 calories from fat, 1.6g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 172.2mg sodium, 371.7mg potassium, 47.8g carbohydrates, 3.2g fiber, 2g sugar, 11.4g protein, 6.7 points.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
trying your pasta! looks very appetizing!
Hello! I thought I should make a comment since I repost many of your recipes. I am not big on pasta but this looks like something I would like once in awhile.
I have to say that I am really dying to get some parsnips and make the Parsnip and Mushroom soup that you posted earlier today.
Thank you for access to your awesome recipes, I really appreciate that!
I am pasta obsessed! This dish looks yummmmmy.
Is the size and shape of Pasta matters in the receipe?
Larger pasta usually works better in this than tiny pasta.
Such a simple yet wonderful dish. All ingredients can be purchased easily. That, aside from the great taste makes this a recipe for keeps.
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