Recipe: Spaghetti with Tuscan Diced Vegetable Sauce

SPAGHETTI WITH TUSCAN DICED VEGETABLE SAUCE

1 large artichoke
1 large lemon, cut in half
2 medium-sized zucchini
1 large stalk celery
1 medium-sized red onion, peeled
1 medium-sized carrot, scraped
20 large sprigs Italian parsley, leaves only
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ripe, fresh tomatoes or 1 pound canned tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
1 pound dried spaghetti
Coarse salt

Place the artichoke in a bowl of cold water with the lemon halves; put the zucchini and celery in a second large bowl of cold water and soak both for 30 minutes.

Finely chop the onion, carrot, and parsley.

Place the oil in a heavy, medium-sized flameproof casserole over low heat, and when the oil is warm, add the chopped ingredients and saute for 10 minutes.

Clean the artichoke and cut it into 1-inch pieces. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into quarters, then into 1/2-inch pieces. Cut the celery into similar-sized pieces.

Add the vegetables to the casserole, saute for 2 minutes, then cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring every so often with a wooden spoon.

If using fresh tomatoes, cut them into pieces. Pass fresh or canned tomatoes through a food mill, using the disc with the smallest hole into a ceramic or glass bowl. Add tomatoes to the casserole and season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cover and cook for 20 minutes more.

Add the broth, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, taste for salt and pepper. (The sauce may be prepared a day in advance, refrigerated in a covered ceramic or glass bowl and reheated before using.)

Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil, add coarse salt to taste, then add the pasta and cook for 9 to 12 minutes depending on the brand.

As the pasta cooks, warm a large serving dish and ladle some of the sauce onto it.

Drain the pasta, transfer it to a prepared platter, add the remaining sauce, mix well and serve hot.

Servings: 4 to 6