Summer's Swansong Supper

Ariana Mayıs 25, 2022

It seems that summer has definitely chosen to ease on into fall, saying fairwell...see you next year, wish we could have spent more time together...it was lovely while it lasted...and so on. On it's way out though, it gave us two more glorious days of eighty degree weather and being that I was in the process of finishing up my last summer camp of the season (another jungle one, btw), I thought it would be a wonderful idea to make our last true summery supper. A meal that we always enjoy so much when the weather is warm, and the time is short.

It's a recipe I've adapted to our region...the base of it coming from one of my favorite summer cookbooks fittingly titled " The Summer Book" by Susan Branch. I can't even begin to tell you how much we love this cookbook...it's the epitomy of summer, with all the wording and artwork done by Susan herself.

Susan writes, draws and paints all of her cookbooks, as well as her other books, by hand. The art work is beautiful, sweet, and fun. It also inspires a "Mayberry" feeling in me...an all American, old fashioned, light and airy, small town feeling.

And the recipes are absolutely delicious! This is my take on her Lemon Linguini~

Cook 1lb. of your favorite pasta (Linguini, Penne, Rigatoni...whatever you feel like at the moment!) in boiling, salted water and drain.

In a large bowl whisk together 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, zest of 1 Lemon - juice of 2 Lemons, chopped scallions (4), and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.

Add drained pasta to the lemon sauce. Now you can play around. I usually add one package of chunky smoked salmon (broken into bite size bits), 2 oz. goat cheese (crumbled over warm pasta), either cooked asparagus or green beans (boil in water 3-5 min., drain, run cool water over), grape tomatoes (left whole), salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne.

It's so easy...extremely yummy, makes great left-overs, and it can be made in half an hour tops.

Wishing you all a beautiful, golden end to your summer and a warm, yet crisp & lovely beginning to your fall. Bon Appetit!