Ingredients
olive oil
salt
black pepper
red onions, chopped
chicken or vegetable broth
Parmesan cheese, grated
butter (see Note)
any combination of the following vegetables: fresh fava beans, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, asparagus, artichoke hearts, broccoli florets, carrots, Swiss chard, fresh tomatoes
fresh herbs of your choice: mint, sage, oregano, parsley, basil
tagliatelle (fresh, if available)
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onions over medium heat until golden. When the onions are done, add the fava beans; eggplant, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces; spinach, roughly cut; and zucchini, cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper, turn the heat to low, and continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender but still crisp. If vegetables begin to dry out, add some broth. When almost cooked, add the asparagus, parboiled and cut into bite-sized pieces; artichoke hearts, steamed and quartered; broccoli florets, steamed; carrots, cut into ovals and steamed; or Swiss chard, shredded and sautéed. Add just enough tomatoes to give some color, then add whatever herbs you are using.
Cook the pasta until al dente in boiling water and drain. Add to vegetables, along with Parmesan cheese and butter. Mix thoroughly over low heat and serve with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
Note: Replace olive oil with butter throughout the preparation if you prefer a richer dish.