Summer spaghetti with gazpacho sauce

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1poundsThin spaghetti
1Bay leaf
1tablespoonSalt
4tablespoonsOlive oil
1Garlic clove; pressed
4largesTomatoes; peeled and seeded divided
1tablespoonWhite wine vinegar
1tablespoonFresh basil; minced
1tablespoonFresh oregano; minced
12Chive leaves
Chive blossoms
1tablespoonFresh thyme; minced
1tablespoonNasturtium blossoms; minced
¼teaspoonSaffron threads
1smallRed onion; divided
1mediumCucumber; peeled and seeded divided
1smallSweet red pepper; divided
1tablespoonDry sherry
Salt; to taste
4Nasturtium blossoms

Directions

GARNISH

Cook spaghetti in boiling water with bay leaf and salt until just tender. Drain well, discard bay leaf, mix with oil and garlic, and chill.

Mince half the cucumber, onion and pepper; reserve. Mince one of the tomatoes and reserve.

Place rest of tomatoes in blender or food processor with vinegar, basil, oregano, thyme, minced nasturtium blossoms and saffron; puree.

Add rest of cucumber, onion and pepper, and pulse several times to chop coarsely. Stir in sherry and add salt to taste.

Mix sauce with spaghetti. Divide in four bowls and sprinkle each serving with minced tomato, cucumber, onion and pepper. Garnish each serving with 3 chive leaves, several chive blossoms and a nasturtium blossom.

Recipe from Helen D. Conwell of Fairhope, AL in "Great Spaghetti Sauce Cookoff" in "The Herb Companion." Dec. 1992/Jan. 1993, Vol. 5, No.

2. Pg. 80. Posted by Cathy Harned.