Basil Balsamic Spaghetti

We are celebrating National Spaghetti Day! The Venetian explorer Marco Polo supposedly brought spaghetti back from the Far East in the late 13th century. While the curious culinarian more than likely encountered long noodle shaped pasta made from rice or hard wheat flour during his travels, according to historians, spaghetti & pasta existed as early as the 4th century B.C. amongst the Etruscan civilizations in Italy. Other food historians claim it was brought to Sicily via Arab conquerors where the locals were taught to preserve long strands of dough by drying it in the sun & later cooking it in boiling sea salt water.

Not just for red meat sauce, our spaghetti paired perfectly with an easy to prepare reduction of Villa Graziella Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic certified balsamic vinegar di Modena, fresh spinach & herbs. We adjusted our recipe from The Plant Based Dietician-Juliana Hever for a healthy & delicious meatless Monday lunch or dinner. Serves 4.

Simple Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup reduced Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar di Modena

  • 4 tablespoons Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • 16 oz. package of dry, uncooked spaghetti

  • 2 cups of fresh spinach, washed & chopped

  • 1 ½ cups fresh basil washed & chopped

  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano Or 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary Or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

  • Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste

  • Parmigiano Reggiano cheese grated to taste

 

Easy Directions:

  1. Bring 1 cup of Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar di Modena to a boil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat

  2. When vinegar boils, reduce heat to low & simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the mixture is reduced by half. Cover & set aside

  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium high heat, salt & cook spaghetti according to the package directions

  4. Combine Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, basil, rosemary in a large bowl

  5. When spaghetti is 1-2 minutes from fully cooking, add chopped spinach to the boiling water

  6. Stir until just combined

  7. Strain the spaghetti & spinach

  8. Combine spaghetti, spinach into the bowl with the herb balsamic mixture, add sea salt & fresh cracked pepper.

  9. Stir well until fully combined, add grated cheese.

  10. Serve & enjoy!

RecipesAmy WrightComment