Rigatoni With Shrimp and Butternut Squash Sauce .

Rigatoni With Shrimp and Butternut Squash Sauce

This is a super simple dish, quick to prepare, but so delicious and satisfying.

Ingredients:

butternut squash

olive oil

salt and pepper

fresh shrimp

rigatoni

Parmesan cheese to pass

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to boiling:  add salt and rigatoni after the squash has cooked a few minutes.

Season fresh shrimp with salt and pepper

Peel and dice about 2 to 2 1/2 cups squash into 1/2" cubes. Heat olive oil in skillet and place squash in skillet to cook, season with salt and pepper. Stir often but allow to caramelize. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes.

When the sqash is almost fork tender, in another skillet add olive oil, heat and add shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly and should not take more than three minutes total to cook on both sides. The squash, shrimp, and rigatoni need to be finished cooking at the same time.

When squash is cooked place in a food processor and puree. If necessary a small amount of the pasta water maybe added to make the puree the consistency of a thick tomato sauce. Butter may also be added if you wish.

Add shrimp to pureed squash and toss with rigatoni. Pass Parmesan cheese for those who wish.

TIP: Typical of Italian dishes it is all in the timing so every ingredient is finished at the right time. Pasta is never overcooked and the sauce is usually prepared from fresh ingredients and finished at the same time as the pasta. ENJOY! Serves 4