Not long ago, while Cookie and I were out walking, I watched an older lady cross paths with another woman and her dog. I realized that the women were strangers. Dogs have a way of bringing people together, you know? As we walked up, my gray-haired neighbor was asking permission to pet the big, slobbery mastiff. Then came the usual, “What kind of dog is that?” question.
Three single women, two dogs, one neighborhood intersection on a warm summer evening. We all started swapping laughs and sighs about our pups’ peculiarities as Cookie wiggle-waggled over to the older lady. She fawned over Cookie and admitted that she recently lost her 15-year-old collie. We expressed our condolences. The other woman mentioned her current mastiff’s beloved predecessor and suggested, “Why don’t you get another?” The older lady confessed that it was too much, too hard to lose an ever-present companion, that it’s just the worst. My heart broke for her. I get it. Maybe you get it, too. It is terrifying to love another being so much.
Cookie hopped the fence on Wednesday afternoon. I let her come outside with me while I was talking to my friend on the phone. I watched in horror as she made one impressive, graceful, vertical leap over the chain-link fence to pursue a bunny.
Ten, fifteen, I don’t know how many minutes passed while I was frantically shrieking her name out the car windows and flagging down neighbors. Finally, my phone rang. Cookie was safe at the bank, of all places. Whether for safety or cash for the road, Cookie had run inside the bank. Her new friends were feeding her treats in the conference room when I got there.
I worry about this little rascal’s safety all day, every day. We can’t have another accident. I think we need to move back to an apartment with double doors, either now or when my lease is up. Ironically, I lied about having a back yard when I adopted Cookie. I’m not proud of it. I wanted Cookie and I knew I could take good care of her. Anyway, they were wrong about the backyard requirement. She’s definitely better off in a safe, secure space and long, daily walks. I’m sad to say that she’ll be exploring the backyard on a retractible leash from now on.
I don’t have a good transition here, from dogs to pasta, other than an apology for being a downer today. I threw together this dish for lunch last week with leftover pesto from my pizza. It’s very similar to last summer’s cilantro-pepita pesto pasta concept, but I topped it with delicious burst cherry tomatoes. I can’t claim that it’s a totally original recipe—Beth and Sarah have beautiful, similar zucchini noodle recipes—but are any recipes truly original at this point? Tomatoes and pesto were made for each other!
I’m a pesto-loving arugula fiend, but if you take away anything from my pesto recipes, I hope it’s that it’s impossible to go wrong with pesto. Kale-hemp seed pesto, cilantro-cashew pesto, traditional basil… almost any blend of herbs or greens and nuts or seeds is guaranteed to delight. Top it off with quick-cooked cherry tomatoes for a filling summer dinner.
Pesto Squash Noodles and Spaghetti with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 4 1x
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Italian
Homemade pesto tossed with raw squash noodles and spaghetti, topped with burst cherry tomatoes. This vegetarian recipe is easily made vegan and/or gluten free (see recipe notes). Feel free to substitute 6 to 8 ounces of quality store-bought pesto for a quicker meal. Recipe yields two large servings or four side servings, which would be great served with big green salads!
Ingredients
Pesto
- 2 cups packed fresh arugula and/or basil, tough stems removed
- ½ cup sliced shelled pecans
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Squash noodles and spaghetti
- 1 medium zucchini, julienne
- 1 medium yellow squash, julienne
- ⅓ pound (a little over 5 ounces) whole grain spaghetti or linguine
Burst tomatoes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes or ¾ pound small tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Dash red pepper flakes
- Dash salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cut off the tough ends of the squash and remove any discolored skin with a paring knife. Use a julienne peeler (or regular peeler) to slice the squash lengthwise, one side at a time. Stop once you get to the seeded part, then turn the squash to work on the next side.
- Toast the pecans: In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the pecans, while stirring frequently, until they’re nice and fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the pecans to a bowl to cool.
- To make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the arugula/basil, cooled pecans, Parmesan, garlic and salt. Pulse while drizzling in the olive oil. Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.
- Once the water is boiling, cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta and return to pot.
- Cook the tomatoes: First, slice about 5 of the tomatoes into thin rounds and reserve them for later. In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and red pepper flakes. Once the oil is shimmering, add the whole cherry tomatoes and a dash of salt. Let the tomatoes cook, stirring occasionally, until they are blistered in spots and starting to pop, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook, lightly crushing the tomatoes with the back of a big spoon or silicone spatula, until they are beginning to break down, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sliced tomatoes.
- To assemble the pasta: Combine the pasta and squash noodles in a serving bowl. Add most of the pesto and a couple tablespoons pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more pesto or pasta water until the noodles are sufficiently coated in pesto. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, if desired. Divide the noodles into individual bowls and top with cherry tomatoes. I finished mine with another twist of freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
Recipe adapted from my arugula-almond pesto, cilantro-pepita pesto with squash ribbons and Bon Appetit’s linguine with burst tomatoes and chili peppers.
Make it vegan/dairy free: Omit the Parmesan altogether or add nutritional yeast, to taste, in its place.
Make it gluten free: Use your favorite gluten-free noodles or just make extra squash noodles.
Make it nut free: Substitute pepitas for the pecans or omit the nuts altogether for an herby olive oil sauce.
Storage suggestions: Pesto is best consumed immediately after making. It oxidizes with air exposure, so store it separately from other components, with plastic wrap pressed against the top.
Change it up: Use any pesto you like, whether homemade or store-bought. During cooler months, non-starchy roasted vegetables would be a great substitute for the tomatoes.
Recommended equipment: I love my Kuhn Rikon julienne peeler and Cuisinart food processor.
▸ Nutrition Information
P.s. The site seems to be struggling to stay live today, but I’m working on it. Please be patient!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I’m so glad Cookie is ok, you’ve had a couple scares recently! Whatever you decide to do, she is one of the cutest dogs I’ve ever seen, so that counts for something : )
Sini | my blue&white kitchen
Oh no, Cookie! Those moments must have been horrible for you, Kate! Thanks God she was safe after all. [In a bank?? Clever girl.]
On another note, this pasta dish looks fabulous. Pesto galore!
Hope you have a more relaxing weekend,
Sini
Teffy Perk
Oh wow, that looks absolutely delicious!! I could tuck into a bowl right now… and I just had lunch!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Oh my goodness, so glad you found Cookie (though the bank is a surprise!). Love this summery pasta, just what I’m craving for lunch!
Amy
Oh god, I worry about my dog all day, every day too, and often wish I could put her in some kind of protective bubble. I’m glad Cookie’s ok! What a little monkey. That pasta looks delicious, btw. I haven’t been able to get on board with all zucchini noodles, but it’s a good idea to mix some into regular pasta!
Rachel R.
That is so scary – I’m so glad Cookie is okay! My husband and I have three dogs, and one, a 45 pound shepherd mix, jumps our six-foot privacy fence on the regular. Yes, a SIX FOOT fence. It’s always in pursuit of a squirrel, and she always comes right back, but it still is scary those few minutes she is gone.
Kate
Cookie’s legs are about 10 inches long and she leapt right over that 4-foot fence. Ugh! I wish she would come back to me when I called!
Rachel R.
That’s the worst part!! You just feel so helpless!
Raquel @ My California Roots
Sigh, sorry about Cookie’s escape! Right in front of your eyes even. Glad she is safe. I can’t imagine how it will feel to lose our dog one day, whether it’s temporary, or due to old age.. We just love her too much!
The noodles look great, as always :) pesto always makes the day better.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
So glad Cookie is safe. I love that she was at the bank, of all places! This recipes looks delicious. You can’t go wrong with tomatoes and pesto!
Katie @ Produce on Parade
This is definitely my kind of meal! What a great addition with the zucchini. OMG, I have been there. Bob ran into a grocery store (we actually knew the owners so they weren’t mad), but it was terrifying when I couldn’t find him. He’s my baby, for real, just like Cookie I am sure! :) Glad the little one was safe and sound…in a bank. Haha, that’s so bizarre!
Kate
One time Cookie jumped out of my car and ran inside Wal-Mart! I chased her through the store and we had a mini showdown by the self check-out before she let me scoop her up.
Jenn
So sorry you had to go through this (again), but so glad that Cookie is home safely. There is truly nothing worse – my Gigi slipped out of her harness recently and ran across a busy road to chase after another dog. I was shaking for hours after I caught her. So glad that Cookie is ok – thanks for sharing your stories (and amazing recipes – this looks delicious!)
Kate
Oh man, that’s so scary. I know the feeling. Cookie ran into the bank that faces the same street where she got into an accident earlier this year. I can’t stand thinking about it.
Trisha
I understand the woman’s pain. Our family beagle passed away this week. It’s hard to get so attached to dogs, knowing they have a limited time here with us.
Kate
I’m so sorry for your loss, Trisha. I just hope I can take care of Cookie into old age.
Tieghan
Oh man, I am so sorry this is happening again. Hang in there!!
Such a gorgeous summer pasta!
Catherine
I’m sure you have already considered this, but I HIGHLY recommend investing in an electric fence. My parents have two rescues, who are the least trained / domesticated dogs in the world, and they are completely safe in their yard on a busy road with the electric fence. The dogs are never allowed to walk off property, they’re put in a car and driven across the street to start their walks. It’s cumbersome, but they never test the boundary. Good luck!
Kate
I’m definitely considering it, Catherine. She wears a collar that keeps her away from the front door, but I would like some extra security around the perimeter of the yard, for sure. I’ve always wondered how owners take their dogs on walks when the fence is installed—now I finally get it!
Sharlynn Ng
These look sooo delicious! Such a fabulous vegetarian dish! I love pesto and roasted tomatos!
Hillary
My sister’s dogs are exactly the same. She has a fenced backyard, but the perpetual puppy (not even a foot high) somehow managed to constantly hop the fence and gallivant about the neighborhood. It’s important for pups to have the ability to run and jump freely, but not at the risk of losing them or causing injury. Luckily adding another foot of fence well and truly prevented her escapades.
In regard to the recipe: I L-O-V-E burst cherry tomatoes. I’ve convinced I could eat them for dessert. Whether in a pan or in the oven, the sweetness is undeniable and acceptable for every dish, in my opinion.
Kate
I really wish I could secure my yard better. In the meantime, she’s wearing her harness and getting hooked up to the line in the backyard. I almost forgot earlier today—she saw bunnies when I opened the door and almost bolted. Fortunately, I’ve been making her sit and stay before I let her outside, so I had enough time to shut the door. Sheesh. Those bunnies. I’m glad you’re on the burst cherry tomato bandwagon. I just can’t stop!
Margie O'Hara
It is very frighting when a pet escapes. As a pet owner I always felt it was my job to protect this animal like a child. Love your recipe! Going to go to the garden, gather my ingredients and make it this evening.
Kate
I feel the same responsibility. I hope you enjoyed the pasta dish, Margie.
Julia | Orchard Street Kitchen
Kate, I recently discovered your blog and absolutely love it! I’m so excited to try this pesto with tomatoes – the colors look so beautiful together. And I’m sorry your cute Cookie gave you a scare, but I’m glad she’s ok!
Nancy
Do you cook the zucchini and yellow squash?
Kate
No, the noodles are raw. I’m sorry for the confusion!
Kate @ Almond Butter Binge
Ugh, losing track of a dog is the worst! Mine has slipped her harness a few times and gone “exploring”…luckily, she’s terrified of the highway near our house and usually runs for the river, where I find her contentedly sniffing away along the bank. It NEVER stops being terrifying, though.
I love the idea of combining “real” pasta and zucchini noodles! I always want to replace all the pasta with zoodles in a dish, but that generally leaves me totally unsatisfied. This seems like a good compromise :)
Kate
I really wish Cookie was afraid of the busy street nearby. Pasta noodles with zucchini noodles is totally the way to go!
cheyenne
this looks so so so good, thanks for sharing!
xo, cheyenne
nikki
YAY TO DOG PEOPLE!!
Ohh that feeling when the dog decides to go explore alone ;)
My dog Trixi will always find a little hole in every garden fence – followed by me running through the neighborhood, ringing doors and asking: “My dog might be in your garden… Could I have a look?”
Once she ran away from a friend of my mother who was walking with her by the river in the dark and simply went home to me (there are several big streets along the way… Thinking back makes me shudder).
This recipe sounds like one of those perfect weekday meals.
I’ll try it next week :)
Kate
It’s so scary! We live far too close to a busy street for my liking. :(
Kendra
This looks amazing! I feel like I need to go and make this right now :)
Alex Caspero
So happy that Cookie is OK! I love that he headed to a bank :)
This looks like the perfect summer pasta!
Jen
YUM! Those tomatoes just POP right out, what a delicious looking meal (and tasting I’m sure).
Adorable puppy, by the way! Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to make this asap! :)
Riley
This looks delicious, thanks! This post makes me miss my puppy! I just moved and she won’t be here for another 10 days :(
Lynda
I have loved your website for a long time and have enjoyed many of your recipes. My dog is a runner too and I have had many near heart failures over the past 13 years. I am always grateful to the kindness of strangers for catching him and calling me as he has no concept of the danger he is in, especially now that we live in the City near very busy streets. I completely understand your fear.
Kate
Why do our dogs scare us so, Lynda? Cookie is just the same way. I was so glad she ran inside the bank instead of crossing the busy street. I’d do anything to make sure she never escapes again.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Oh my goodness!! My heart totally stopped reading this. Thank goodness Cookie is ok! I can only imagine how scary that must have been. On another note, this meal looks lovely! Definitely need to use my julienne peeler more!
Jordan
This veggie-laden pasta looks amazing and I’m so glad Cookie was okay! LOVE Marie Forleo. That was a really helpful Q & A for me as well. :)
Mary
What a fabulous recipe – lovely flavors and I’ve plenty of tomatoes in the garden. I can relate to Cookie!! I have a little Jack Russell who LOVES to run!
Mary
Kate
Cookie acts like a Jack Russell! One time, we clocked her at 25 mpg.
Kathy K
MPH (miles per hour)? or MPG (miles per gallon)? ;) Regardless, scary situation when dogs take off on their own.
This recipe looks like the perfect kind of ‘comfort food’ .
Annie
OMG this looks super good. Definitely rate 5 stars for this recipe. Thanks for sharing!!!
Anne
It sounds like Cookie has a homing instinct for nice people, at least.
Made this dish for dinner last night, breaking in my new julienne peeler. Another great dish making use of what’s yummy at the farmer’s market now. The pasta helps give the squash some body–good addition.
Kate
She definitely does. Glad you enjoyed this dish, Anne. I really like combining squash noodles with regular noodles.
cara
My friend Jess’s dog ran away last week too! They found her at some friendly neighbors’, drinking water and hanging out. So glad Cookie was fine. Phew.
Kate
I’m glad your friend’s dog is safe! I’m so lucky that Cookie runs to nice people. Yikes.
Matt @ Plating Pixels
I like how you used pecans for your pesto. Pine nuts are great but not as common of an ingredient for most households. I did something similar and made toasted walnut and sun-dried tomato pesto recently. Your dog is so cute by the way!
Gaby
So glad Cookie is ok!! On the other hand…the pasta looks delicious!
Sophie
Oh Cookie! Giving you such a scare! I am terrified of something happening to our pup, too. And when my husband works nights, I NEED my dog as a companion/alarm sounder more than ever. He needs to stick around forever! We don’t have a yard and maybe that is for the best, for now. He ran away once when we were visiting friends and took off through a slit in the fence. Scary. I think Cookie will still enjoy the yard from a long leash, and you’ll have peace of mind! Your pasta looks lovely! A beautiful way to celebrate summer goodies :)
Kate
I’m glad you got your dog back safely after that incident, Sophie. Cookie runs like the wind, it’s terrifying.
BusyWorkingMama
This looks amazing! I love using my spiralizer to make zucchini noodles!
Chris
Every time you write about Cookie like that I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I worry that I’m too attached to my little dog! I can’t imagine life without her and it’s hard knowing they don’t have the same life span as us. I guess the only thing we can do is treasure every moment they are with us.
Kate
That’s how I try to look at it, too, Chris. I just really want to keep her safe so we can spend as much time together as possible.
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon
I only realised this week that my dog is finally starting to show the signs of his age! He keeps falling asleep when he sits down and actually gets tired when I walk him now! It’s so sad watching our little dogs lifespans rush on ahead of us sometimes. These noodles look delicious at least :)
Kate
Aw, poor guy! That must be tough.
Joanne
Ack! HOW SCARY! My mom’s dog would run away in a heartbeat if let out of our (highly fenced) yard…only because she doesn’t know any better and probably wouldn’t realize that she can’t find her way back. Thankfully Cookie is back and safe with you!
I would probably need all the comfort food after an experience like that. Starting with this big bowl o’ noodles!
Kate
I wish I could put up some crazy security fence! I’d feel a lot better. I felt like a giant puddle of cortisol after that fiasco.
Thea Pieper
Omg.. You got me extremely hungry just by reading this post and looking at these lovely pictures… Thank you, now I finally have something healthy and extraordinary delicious to cook for dinner tonight! Yuummm..
XO Thea
kristie @ birchandwild.com
Oh, my. Having one’s dog run if is completely terrifying. My dog has done it a few times, and every time my heart sinks into my chest. Glad to hear Cookie was safe and sound and the bank!
This pasta looks like the perfect summer meal. It is what I crave most nights. The photo of the burst cherry tomatoes is beautiful! I will put my garden grown tomatoes to good use.
Kate
Thank you, Kristie. I hope both of our dogs stay safe! I bet this dish will taste spectacular with your garden-fresh tomatoes.
Michelle
I love the noodle combinations you chose, getting the max in taste and health. And you can’t go wrong with Pesto.
Lindsay
Are the squash noodles not cooked?
Kate
No, they’re great raw!
Sue
Glad the dog is home safe. While electric fences have their drawbacks, if you decide to go that route, one way to get them through for a walk, if you don’t want to use the car, is to pick them up and carry then over the boundary. As a pet sitter, I’ve found that works without their losing respect for it. Of course, be sure their fence collar is OFF.
As for the recipe, I actually made it, and it was fabulous. The combo of the roasted and raw tomatoes was far superior to jsut using one or the other. Even my meat-loving husband had 2 helpings. I used a spiralizer instead of julienning the squash. Do wish you’d add the amount of squash, since both types come in a very wide array of sizes. No matter, I just eye-balled it. Definitely will be making this often through the season, since we are growing the cherry tomatoes and basil.
Kate
Thank you, Sue. I’m investigating local dog fence companies. Glad you enjoyed the pasta, and I’m sorry for not indicating the size of the zucchini in the recipe. I’ll add “medium” zucchini now.
Kasey
I’m so glad your little lady is safe! Those brief moments of terror you experience when someone you love so much is in danger are awful. This pasta, lady, needs no transitions :)
laurasmess
Oh lovely. This post rings so true!! I met a gentleman in Florence today (I was having coffee in a cafe) after asking if I could pat his 16 year old dog named Zoe. She was just beautiful… rather deaf and blind, but completely loving and trusting (with that gorgeous greying fur around the face. So beautiful). I ended up chatting a little bit with the owner about his relationship with Zoe (in broken English/Italian) and it really brought home the great pain/loss/gain/love/richness/stress that comes with owning a dog. As with any great love, allowing yourself to get attached brings a new sense of vulnerability, as a part of yourself is invested in another. I both hate and love that fact, but at the end of the day, it’s totally worth it.
So glad that Cookie is back home and safe. My little Jack used to ‘artfully escape’ every now and then, so I can understand the horrible stress! At the end of the day, they don’t understand the stress that they cause us. Just like children, really ;) My first goal after I get home from traveling is to get another dog. No other love is as pure, unconditional and beautiful as what you receive from a dog :) Anyway, I am losing track… this noodle dish is GORGEOUS. So nourishing and colourful. Such a celebration of summer goodness! xx
Stakra
Just made this recipe. Classic flavor combination made even better adding the julienned raw zucchini for texture. Good call adding the red pepper flakes. I held back a bit but feel it would have benefited by the full pinch. Nice work!
Kate
Thanks, Stakra! Glad you appreciated the recipe!
Allison
I know the exact feeling about seeing your dog take off. It’s absolutely horrifying and makes your heart beat faster than you ever thought possible. I’m so happy Cookie is safe back at home! What a cutie. I seriously can’t get enough of that pup.
And this pasta? My goodness it looks good! I love combining pasta with zucchini noodles for a great texture contrast. Such a fabulously bright, seasonal recipe. The pecans are a great idea instead of pine nuts -must give that a go.
Kate
It is the worst feeling. Ugh! I’d do anything to make sure it never happens again. I love pecans in pesto, hope you’ll give it a try soon!
Denise
It is too hard to say goodbye to that furry companion after 19 years of beng together, I feel lost without my Border Collie mix. Even after a yr I still hurry home if I think it may storm (he hated storms), reach across the bed without thinking to see it he is there. Putting him to sleep was the right decision the bad days out numbered the good. The right decision is what my head says, my heart, I’d give anything for one more day. I found this puppy dumped on a dusty Oklahoma country road. He waved a tiny paw as I drove by, I am that older mutt mom just don’t think I can do it again.
Kate
Denise, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t stand to think about losing Cookie. I just hope she lives a long, healthy life with me. Nineteen years would be incredible! P.s. Cookie is from Oklahoma, too. (Tulsa.)
Chelsea
Just finished making and eating Pesto Pasta – FANTASTIC – tried to copy it exactly and it was so tasty my husband went back for 3rds -hmmm maybe too good. I might be a bit more adventurous and add a bit more red pepper flakes next time (I was conservative).And we both liked that it wasn’t too garlicky either. Thanks Kate!
Kate
Hooray! Thank you, Chelsea! I love spicy food so I’m usually pretty generous with those pepper flakes.
denise
Thank you for your sympathy. I guess I read somewhere Cookie was a Tulsan and have wandered into Pet-whatever on Saturday morning when they do the find a dog a home thing looking for a Cookie clone. But we both know there is only one Cookie and it will be rare to find one as cute.
Kate
It’s true, she’s one of a kind. It took some searching to find her. If you decide to bring another canine friend into your life, I’m sure you will find the perfect pup. xo.
Alyssa
I never comment on blogs, but I have to tell you – this recipe is awesome. I also made your chickpea-farro salad and it was delicious. I recently moved to NYC from the midwest and having some great home-cooked recipes makes the transition easier. Thanks for a delicious recipe – completely satisfying and equally tasty.
Kate
Hooray! Thank you very much, Alyssa! Hope you feel at home in your new city soon.
Ana Luz
Tonight is the third time I’ve had this for dinner. There’s always leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. This is a great recipe. Using quinoa pasta (I’ve used both linguine and shells) adds, in my opinion, a little more texture to it.
Cookie is great! I’ve two cats and I totally know about worrying about pets.
Love the blog. :-)
Kate
Hi Ana! Thanks for commenting. I’m so glad you’re loving this recipe! You’ve inspired me to pick up some quinoa pasta at the store. I’ve never tried it.
Rebecca - FoodFlav
Saving this recipe to try later!! Looks so delicious!
Poli
Yummy. Made if for dinner tonight. I might make it tomorrow again. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Kate
Thank you, Poli! Glad you enjoyed it!
cecilia
I have been dying to try this, recipe for so long, your pictures are so beautiful and it was incredible!!! Worth the wait!! It is definitely one of my favorite recipes.
I have never made pesto with aragula before and it was a nice change. Delicious!!! Thank you Kate!
Kate
Yay! This is one of my favorites, too, Cecilia. So glad you enjoyed it!
Lauren
Didn’t think twice about whipping this one up for tonight since all I had to buy were the zucchinis and tomatoes. I made it vegan with nutritional yeast and OH MY this is an amazing recipe. So simple! You are quickly becoming my favorite food blogger! Can’t wait to share this creation with my loves. Thanks <3
Kate
Thank you so much, Lauren! Happy to hear it!
Grace
This recipe is divine! I’m a newlywed looking for easy, but delicious recipes and this was exactly it; my husband loved it! Plus I just planted basil…making a perfect excuse to make this all the time!
Kate
Thanks, Grace! Happy to hear it!
Gill
I just discovered your website this past weekend, while searching for banana bread, which turned out delicious…thank you! I’m about to make this, thanks for sharing such fantastic recipes.
Kate
Thank you for saying hi, Gill! I’m so glad you found my site. :)
Lenore
I can’t wait to try this recipe! A question: do you cook or blanch the squash/zucchini to soften it up or not?
Sandy
I haven’t yet made any of these recipes, but just wanted to let you know that I just ordered your book. I didn’t even bother to read the reviews. I love your site and wanted to lend you some support.
Kate
Thank you so much, Sandy! I hope you love the book.
Tristin
Could I use cashews or seeds or some other replacement for the Pecans? My father is allergic to most types of nuts. Thanks!
Kate
You could try sunflower seeds? Let me know how that works for you, Tristin!
Reb
This is a fabulous dish! It is like summer exploding in your mouth.
I did have trouble getting the tomatoes to burst, though.
Amy
Hi, so for the squash and zucchini are they not cooked at all?
Kate
Hi! No need to cook the zucchini. I hope you try it!
Dee
Hi Kate,
Delicious recipe!! Used the nutritional yeast idea and it’s wonderful! I put nutritional yeast on popcorn and it’s better than butter;)
Thanks for ALL your delicious recipes in your newsletter and your cookbook!!
Dee