Roasted Vegetable Pasta

This is a super delicious way to get a ton of healthy veggies in and even a little pasta for me carb lovers. I choose chick pea pasta or black bean pasta for the extra protein and fiber, but you can use any type of pasta you like.

Ingredients

· 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

· 2 Vidalia onions, or 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

· 5 small pattypan squash, sliced in half

· 2 small zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces

· 10 cherry tomatoes

· 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling

· 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

· 2 garlic cloves, minced

· ½ teaspoon herbs de Provence

· Leaves from 8 sprigs fresh thyme, more for garnish

· 1 16-ounce package chickpea penne pasta

· ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

· ½ cup fresh basil, more for garnish

· Juice of ½ small lemon, more if desired

· Pinches of red pepper flakes

· Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the carrots and onions on the first sheet and the pattypan squash, zucchini, and tomatoes on the other. Drizzle both sheets of vegetables with olive oil and generous pinches of salt and pepper. Place the sheet with the carrots and onions in the oven first and roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until the onions are tender and lightly charred, and the carrots are tender and browned. Place the second sheet in and roast for 20 minutes, or until the squash and zucchini are golden brown around the edges, and the tomatoes are lightly bursting. Remove from the oven and set aside.

2. In the bottom of a large bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the sherry vinegar, garlic, herbs de Provence, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Stir in the roasted vegetables.

3. Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Drain and transfer the cooked pasta to the large bowl with the roasted vegetables and toss to coat.

4. Add the feta, basil, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes and gently toss. Season (generously!) to taste with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice, as desired.

5. Garnish with more fresh herbs and a generous drizzle of olive oil.