This fennel kale pasta is an excellent fresh, light and super flavourful dish. It’s nice and simple to make, and is ready in no time so perfect for a mid week meal. A great change from your regular pasta dishes too!
Ingredients List
- Small brown onion
- Large fennel bulb
- 3 cloves garlic
- Chilli Flakes
- 2 medium zucchini
- Bunch of kale
- Pasta
- Juice of a lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Hard cheese (parmesan or equivalent)
Steps
- Dice the onion and cook in a fry pan with olive oil until softened and translucent
- Meanwhile, remove the fronds from the fennel and set aside, then thinly slice the fennel bulb
- Add the fennel to the pan and cook until starting to caramelise
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water
- Meanwhile, grate the zucchini, squeeze to remove as much water as possible then cook in a separate pan until softened
- Remove the kale leaves from the stems and roughly chop then add to the zucchini and toss to combine, cooking kale for 2-3 minutes
- Mince the garlic and add with the chilli flakes (to taste) to the fennel and cook for 1-2 minutes
- Add the zucchini and kale mix to the fennel mix and combine, then add the pasta and toss to coat
- Pour in the reserved pasta water as required, then add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper
- Top with reserved fennel leaves and hard cheese and serve
I know it looks like quite a few things happening at once to make this fennel kale pasta but it’s all very straightforward I promise! I love the combination of flavours that comes from the slightly sweet fennel, the bitter kale and the zesty lemon. I definitely recommend a good pinch of chilli flakes in to the mix as well! It’s a seriously good way to get a nice mix of vegetables into your dinner!
Thanks to getting my veggies delivered this winter while working from home I think I have cooked with kale and fennel more than ever before. It’s nice to keep finding new ways to eat both vegetables, and this fennel kale pasta will be one I come back to a lot I think. You can definitely leave out the cheese at the end if you want this to be vegan friendly as well!
Who wants to add this fennel kale pasta to their meal plan this week?
Share the Love
I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!