Baby Shell Pasta Salad with Calamata Olives, Roasted Fennel and Grilled Sweet Onions

SALAD

1 pound small pasta shells — uncooked

1 1/2 cups fennel bulb — cut in half lengthwise

1 large sweet onion — sliced 1/2-inch thick

2 teaspoons olive oil OR 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 cup plum tomatoes — diced

3/4 cup Calamata olives — sliced

1/2 cup fresh assorted herb leaves (such as basil,

dill or parsley) — finely chopped

DRESSING

2 garlic cloves — unpeeled

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil OR 1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons lime juice

Shredded Romano cheese

Crushed red chili peppers

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water, set aside. Heat oven to 375ºF. Toss garlic for dressing, fennel and onion with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Spread on a cookie sheet and roast in oven until lightly browned and tender, approximately 20-30 minutes. Set aside fennel and onion.

In a bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, barbecue sauce and lime juice. Squeeze garlic out of its peel, dice and whisk into dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Dice onion, fennel and tomatoes and add to pasta. Add olives, herbs, and dressing and toss. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. To serve, sprinkle with Romano cheese and crushed red chili peppers.

Source:

“National Pasta Association”