With spring right around the corner comes the arrival of amazing seasonal produce from our local farms in Western Mass!

Here’s a great recipe that takes advantage of arugula season while keeping things warm enough for those colder early spring days. Ask farmers at your local farmers’ market for recommendations on what else in season, and create a delicious meal for you and your loved ones.

-Eva Chow

Pasta with Sausage and Arugula via Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 small red onions, sliced into ½”-thick wedges
  • 1 fennel bulb, sliced into ½”-thick wedges
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 8 oz. hot or sweet Italian sausage (about 2 links), casings removed
  • 10 oz. gemelli, casarecce, or other medium pasta
  • 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 6 cups baby arugula
  • Finely grated Parmesan (for serving)

RECIPE PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 425°. Toss onions, fennel, and 2 Tbsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Spread out into a single layer. Pinch sausage into small pieces and scatter around onions and fennel. Roast until vegetables and sausage are cooked through and well browned, 25–30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Combine vegetables, sausage, and pasta in a large bowl. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, remaining 4 Tbsp. oil, and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking liquid and toss to coat, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until sauce comes together and coats pasta. Toss in arugula.

Divide pasta among plates and top with Parmesan. Season with more salt and pepper.

Recipe was originally posted on Bon Appetit by Anna Stockwell.

Content submitted by students of NRC185: Team 7 of the Natural Resources Conservation department at University of Massachusetts, Amherst!

Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Anna Stockwell

Recipe Stats:

  • Servings: 4