Recipe: Pasta with Sweet Onions and Hot Sausage

PASTA WITH SWEET ONIONS AND HOT SAUSAGE
Source: pastapress.com
Serves 6

This recipe was inspired by a caramelized onion recipe from one of our friends, whose technique was simply to saut lots of sweet onions in a small amount of olive oil and then let them slowly sweat in their own juices. After about forty-five minutes, the result was a wonderfully sweet and buttery sauce of "melted" onions. Our only modification was the addition of tomatoes and hot Italian turkey sausage to create a savory complement to the sweetness of the onions-although the sausage may be omitted for a vegetarian entr e.

Pasta
1 1/2 pounds fettuccine or pasta or your choice

Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 quarts (about 4 large) sweet onions, peeled and cut in chunks (see Tips below)
1 (28 oz.) can peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 pound extra-lean hot Italian turkey sausages

Prepare onions as specified. Heat olive oil in a large pot over low heat. Add onions, cover pot, and cook 45 minutes, or until onions are completely soft but not browned. Stir as necessary to prevent scorching.

After onions soften, add tomatoes (juice and all) and continue cooking uncovered on very low heat until most of the "onion/tomato" liquid evaporates. Meanwhile, grill or broil sausages. Slice cooked sausages into 1/4" thick pieces. Add sausage to sauce and heat through.

Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and place into a large shallow serving bowl. Pour sauce over, toss gently and serve immediately.

Tips, Hints & Short-Cuts
Make sure to use sweet onions! Get Vidalia, Texas 1015, Maui or Walla Walla onions if possible; otherwise ask your grocer or farmers' market vendor for recommendations. Don't be alarmed by the seemingly huge amount of onions specified-2 quarts of raw onions will reduce down to 1 1/2-2 cups cooked. This sauce tastes even better the next day. If time warrants, make it the day before to allow the flavors to marry overnight in the refrigerator. Make sure to get hot (not sweet) Italian sausages. For a vegetarian entree, simply eliminate the sausage.