clean out the fridge, you’re getting married pasta

Our wedding is just over a week away and everything is falling into place—with the exception of the weather forecast, which hovers stubbornly between 100° and 102°.  The vows are written, my mother’s backyard where we’ll marry is stunning, cases of wine and ten cakes are on order. We are excited.

After the wedding, we’re going on our honeymoon to Spain, France and Belgium. Our plan is see all the art, eat all the foods and walk all over those cities. There might be a shellfish tower, there will most certainly be gooey cheese. I’ve downloaded the Paris Pastry App to my phone detailing cookbook author David Lebovitz’s favorite places to get pastry in Paris, which I think means we’re all set.

Of course, before we head out, there’s the usual business to attend to. Packing, bathing the hound, cleaning all of the food out of our fridge. And that’s where this pasta comes in.

Clean Out the Fridge, You’re Getting Married Pasta
1 pound dried pasta, preferably a short noodle, but why be picky
2 italian sausages, or any sausage really, or bacon
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
1 pound of fava beans, shelled
1 onion, diced
2 – 4 cloves of garlic
a splash of red wine
olive oil
parmesan cheese

This pasta comes together especially easily if you have an almost-husband or almost-wife to help you in the kitchen. Of course, there’s nothing really difficult about it, just a fair amount of vegetable prep and sautéing that might take a bit longer if you’re a solo show. 

Almost wife: Put a pot of salted water to boil. While that is coming up to temperature, shell the favas from their first pod and set aside.

Almost husband: Cut the broccoli into florets and set aside. Dice the onion and the garlic.

Almost husband: In a sauté pan, add some olive oil and warm it over medium heat. Take the sausage out of it’s casing and cook the sausage until browned. Remove from the pan and place in a large bowl.  Add the onions and sauté over medium low heat. Once the onions are warm, add a nice splash of red wine, and continue to sauté for 5 minutes more.

Almost wife: When the water boils, add the favas into the hot water. This will loosen their second skin and you can more easily shell them. After 5 minutes, scoop the favas out. Put them back in the bowl and cover with cold water. Shell the favas and add them into the same bowl with the sausage.

Almost wife: Blanche the broccoli in the pasta water. It should only take a few minutes. Scoop the broccoli out and add it to the same bowl with the sausage and fava beans. Now that all your vegetables are cooked, add the pasta and cook until al dente.

Almost husband: Once your onions are translucent, add the garlic and sauté for a few minutes more. Scoop the sausage and veggies and turn the heat to low just to keep everything warm.

Almost husband: Drain the pasta and add into the large bowl, toss with some olive oil. Pour the sausage and veggie mixture over the pasta and toss with some pepper and parmesan.

Almost husband and almost wife: Pour a glass of wine, add more parmesan and enjoy!

And a quick programing note: For obvious reasons, the blog will be silent for a few weeks while we wed and honeymoon (!!!). Rest assured, there will be recipes and photos to come out of it. Many of you who read this blog, we’ll see you on Saturday. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Xo,
Emily