One of the joys of a great weekend is taking a trip to the local farmer’s market, seeing the vibrant and fresh produce on tables or in baskets just begging to be brought home and made into something delicious. Farmers Market Pasta Salad shows off all your fabulous finds in a single dish, bursting with juicy tomatoes, crisp red peppers, sweet and floral peaches, and savory green onions. Tangy, sharp, and smooth vinaigrette and parmesan add even more summer fun to each bite, and the smoked chicken adds meatiness and heartiness. Farmers Market Pasta Salad is quick, easy, and delicious, and it always makes supporting local growers even more fulfilling!
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
- 2 small zucchini, thinly sliced into half moons
- 1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup ripe fresh peaches, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup lemon vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup parmesan, freshly grated
- 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta
- 2 cups prepared smoked chicken, shredded
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, torn
- fresh cilantro, optional, to taste, torn
Directions
Step 1 –Toss the tomatoes, the zucchini, the bell pepper, the corn, the peaches, the green onions, the vinaigrette, and the parmesan together in a large bowl.
Step 2 –Let the tomato mixture stand for 10 minutes.
Step 3 –Ina large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the penne to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 4 –Drain the pasta and add it to the tomato mixture.
Step 5 –Add the chicken to the tomato mixture and toss until everything is coated.
Step 6 –Season the pasta mixture with the salt and the pepper.
Step 7 –Transfer the salad to a serving platter and top with the basil and the cilantro.
Step 8 –Serve.