CSA Baked Rotini

Dinner tonight is an idea thanks to a fellow CSA compatriot, Denise!  While my kids are pretty adventurous eaters, my recipe for sauteed mustard greens is not exactly up their alley.  Tonight we had a more family friendly - ooey, gooey, cheese dinner that disappeared from their plates in no time flat.

Baked Rotini with Spinach and Turnip Greens

• 16oz whole wheat rotini (any similar size pasta will do)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium bag of spinach*
• 1 bunch turnip greens* (save the turnips for another recipe)
• 16 oz part skim ricotta cheese
• 12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve enough for sprinkling on top, about 1 cup)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 box of Pomi chopped tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.  Drain the pasta but do not rinse it.
2. While the pasta is cooking, clean the spinach and turnip greens*. 
3. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over meduim/high heat.  Add the greens, salt and pepper and saute until they are wilted. 
4. Allow the greens to cool for a few minutes before turning onto a cutting board and giving a quick chop. 
5. In a large bowl combine ricotta, mozzarella, beaten egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper, and 2 cups of chopped tomatoes.
6. Add sauteed greens and pasta and stir to combine.  Pour into a 9x13 pan.  Top with remaining Pomi tomatoes and reserved mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted.   

Patrick and a clean plate.

*Place greens in the bowl of a salad spinner and add enough cold water to cover them.  Swirl the greens around in the water and allow them to sit for a minute while the sand and dirt settle.  Remove them one handful at a time and into the salad spinner basket.  Dump the sandy water and spin the greens to dry.  You'll be amazed at how this method removes all of the sand, dirt and silt from your greens! 

If you don't have a salad spinner immerse the greens in a large bowl.  Remove the greens to a couple of clean kitchen towels and gently pat dry.

Brotherly love