Wondering what to do with all that mint in your garden?
Join forces with your abundant tomato harvest!
This summer pasta sauce is light, flavorful and refreshing.
Best served with medium shells or orecchiette.
Makes about 4 quarts. You may also serve over grilled chicken or fish.
Freeze some for later…
Ingredients
1/2 c olive oil
128 oz canned tomato or pureed fresh tomato
1 large sweet onion
3-4 Bell peppers
2 C chicken broth
12 cloves garlic 2 T dried fennel seeds (optional)
1/2 c dry vermouth or dry white wine (optional)
2 c chopped fresh mint leaves – Spearmint or peppermint will be fine.
2-3 tsp. each: fresh oregano, basil & thyme
or
11/2 each if dried
1 T Salt
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Black pepper (optional)
Parmesan cheese
Method
Use a large stock pot, heat olive oil over low-medium heat.
Add onion and pepper, semi cover and cook slowly until transparent, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic, cook slowly for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add fennel seeds, stir for about 30 seconds.
Add salt. Add tomato. Add broth. Add red pepper flakes (optional…to taste)
Add black pepper (optional…to taste). Bring to a simmer – this may take about 1 hr.
Simmer about 15-30 minutes.. Note, this is not a thick sauce.
Stir in chopped mint. Simmer 10 minutes.
Remove from heat. Pour over pasta. Top with parmesan.