Fresh Vegetable Pasta Salad

[Mommy Munch]

Fresh Vegetable Pasta Salad
Source: Better Homes and Gardens



Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley sprigs
• 2 tablespoons salad oil
• 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 to 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 ounces fresh linguine, cut into 4-inch pieces, or 2 ounces dry linguine, broken
• 1 large carrot, cut into julienne strips
• 1 small turnip, cut into julienne strips
• 1 small zucchini, cut into julienne strips
• 1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper
• 1/2 cup loose-pack frozen peas, thawed
• 2 ounces part-skim mozzarella, gruyere, or Swiss cheese, cubed
• Salad greens (optional)

Directions:

1. For dressing, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine parsley sprigs, salad oil, wine vinegar, water, garlic cloves, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Cover and blend or process until combined. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan cook fresh linguine, carrot, and turnip in a large amount of boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta and vegetables are tender. (Or, if using dry linguine, cook pasta according to package directions, adding carrot and turnip the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking.) Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.
3. In a large salad bowl combine cooked pasta mixture, zucchini, pepper, peas, and cheese. Add dressing. Toss to coat. If desired, line bowl with salad greens to serve. Makes 6 side-dish servings or 3 main-dish servings.

Nutrition facts per serving:
calories: 155
total fat: 7g
saturated fat: 1g
cholesterol: 27mg
sodium: 166mg
carbohydrate: 18g
fiber: 2g
protein: 6g
vitamin A: 42%
vitamin C: 40%
calcium: 6%
iron: 7%