One of my favorite things about Spring is that it means the start of the tomato-growing season. I haven’t always been a gardener–in fact, my gardening repertoire is currently limited to growing tomatoes, herbs and peppers. I plan to change this soon; my husband and I have been researching greenhouses to see if owning one would work for us. Until then, I will have to contend with the deer who roam about our yard and seem to have quite the liking for tomato plants.
This year, I decided to grow eight tomato plants. Which one will be my favorite remains to be seen but I did pick up a winner from a couple of years ago, the jaune flamme. It’s a French heirloom variety, small and a beautiful persimmon orange color. I selected it because I liked its name and was pleasantly surprised by how sweet it was. My husband and I must have eaten half the plant’s fruits as we walked by them in the yard that year. The rest went into pasta dishes where the tomatoes provided explosive flavor to humble recipes. I made sure to purchase two jaune flammes this year.
Now I realize that growing tomatoes is not for everyone. Whether the issue be the lack of space, time or even desire, at least there is a way to enjoy a flavorful tomato-based dish with no investment required on the aforementioned. I’ve been roasting inexpensive, flavorless grocery store Roma tomatoes for years. From a flavor standpoint, these usually- shunned varieties go from being ugly ducklings to beautiful swans. A little balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt before slow-roasting them in the oven are all you need for this tasty transformation.
I purchased a bag of Roma tomatoes this weekend so I can share with you in a future post. For this dish from a few days ago, I roasted the small batch you see here that I purchased from Trader Joe’s. I didn’t bother to remove the seeds from these little guys and I just quick-roasted them but it was enough to bring out some of the sweetness I was after. The extra juiciness that remained actually worked to add more flavor to the sauce.
Here, I cooked together some sweet chicken sausage, garlic, mushrooms, sage, white wine and the tomatoes for a quick dinner. I also used some of my homemade red chili flake-infused olive oil to provide the kick I’m always looking for. For something that was ready in the time it took to cook the pasta, this dish was packed with flavor. Can’t complain about that.
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Blatant Self-Promotion. Once in a while isn’t too bad, is it? 🙂 Just wanted to point you to my Facebook page (link top of my sidebar on the right). Lately, I’ve been considering posting dishes that I don’t necessarily share here. More than likely, they are simple stir-fry or pasta dishes that I put together quickly out of leftovers I have in the kitchen. They may be worthy of a look if you’re looking for simple ideas. Just a thought. 🙂 I’m posting a rice dish made out of leftover lime, ginger, sweet soy sauce marinated grilled chicken and broccoli. It’s tonight’s dinner. 🙂
Farfalle with Sweet Chicken Sausage, Sage and Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 pound farfalle or any pasta you like
- 3 chicken apple sausages, casings removed (Next time I would at least 4 – 5 sausages)
- Quick-roasted tomatoes (amount you see in picture, cut in half, tossed in balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt and roasted at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes)
- 1/3 cup white wine (add more if adding more sausage and tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- olive oil (I used infused oil but you can use regular)
- 2-3 cloves chopped fresh garlic
- sage leaves (I chopped 4 or 5 large leaves)
- mushrooms, chopped (I had only a handful but more would be better)
- Red chili flakes if not using infused oil
My mom always used to make sausage-and-roasted-pepper pasta for a great weekday dinner. Love this take on sausage sauce – it’s so fresh and springy!
Mmm, I love sausage in pasta but I haven’t made that in a while. Thanks for the inspiration. I think I’ll try roasting some tomatoes next time – – – but store bought. I have a black thumb. I’m wondering what I could do to turn that into a green thumb. 🙂 Perhaps I could get my Dad to tend to some flammes. They sound delish! Thanks for this great recipe – perfect for Spring & Summer!
Judy, the store-bought ones are really good if you roast them. The roasting works especially well for the cheaper Roma tomatoes that are always around. If your dad can grow the jaune flammes, it would be a great treat. 🙂
Do you know that a few years ago I thought I didn’t like sage? CRAZY I know! Now, it’s one of my favorite herbs! I would love this pasta dish!!!
Tiffany, I didn’t grow up eating sage so it was a late discovery for me, too. Now I can’t imagine an herb garden without it. 🙂
I was smelling this dish as I was reading! The crispy chicken sausage with the roasted tomatoes: that is my idea of a heavenly meal, with great wine, what more could one wish for? Your photos are just breathtaking!
Wow I love this and the pictures turned out amazing 🙂 I’ve saved this recipe and can’t wait to try this soon! Loving the blog!
I love growing tomatoes. To me, there’s nothing better than pulling one off and eating it in the garden and coming back to the house with tomato juice still on my chin.
This pasta dish is yummy looking. I admire your skill with a camera.
I love the tomato shots! What a fantastic recipe this is!
Every year I say to myself, “I’m going to grow more vegetables,” and I’m lucky if I manage to grow a couple of herbs. The jaune flamme tomato plants sounds wonderful! Looking forward to hearing more about your gardening adventures 🙂
My mom put up a little electric fence to keep the deer out, apparently it’s pretty effective! Beautiful dish, I’ll have to wait until I can find good tomatoes at the farmers market. Spring is on it’s way, right?
I look forward to fresh, ripe, warm tomatoes off the vine. If you grow nothing else grow tomatoes and basil. I try to grow other veggies and the bunnies get to them before they can grow.
Those tomatoes look beautiful- homegrown or store bought! You seem to have a green thumb! I recently visited a farm and am in awe of where all our produce comes from. Great job!
Hi Jean! I wish I can grow tomatoes in my backyard but we have deers and other unknown animals attacking our backyard…now we have fake grass and cactus in the yard! Anyway… this recipe is great! I never roasted tomatoes in the oven just for the pasta. 20 mins is not too bad for adding great flavors. Can’t wait to try… by the way I cooked your green bean recipe (chinese one) but I didn’t cook green been long enough (was in hurry… i know…). My Taiwanese husband loved the taste and this is actually my favorite Chinese vegetable dish, too. So I’ll let you know when I try again next time!
Nami, the deer are beautiful to look at but they do quite a number on the yard, don’t they? There are very few things they wouldn’t eat. With regard to the cactus, I actually really like them a lot. We have quite a few growing around here, too. They’re so low maintenance. 🙂
Thanks so much, too, for trying out the green bean recipe. The green beans do take a while to cook but I’m glad that you and your husband enjoyed the flavors. We actually just had this dish again a few days ago. It’s become a favorite! 🙂
Wonderful recipe – and fresh tomatoes – fantastic! (Dinner tonight sounds pretty darn good, too).
Mmm, my kinda meal!
I love the simplicity of this recipe yet the boldness of flavors. Roasting the tomatoes is a wonderful idea. I’m not a huge sage fan, but I’m learning. 🙂
Love anything that spices up traditional pasta! I agree with everyone your photos are amazing. Not sure what apple chicken sausage you were using, but our Original Brat Hans chicken sausage is all-natural with no antibiotics, added hormones or preservatives, which are attributes I thought you and your readers might be interested in. Looking forward to more recipes!
I have a few herbs in my garden but tomato is not one of them. Byt my next door neighbor planted tomatoes last year and they were heaping with red… shiny red tomatoes that I wanted to pick some haha. I just saw it rot on the vine (darn i should have gotten it right?) At the start o f the season, I saaw his pots of tomatoes again and I also saw him planting a few more. When it bears fruits, I will boldly ask for some and make him a bowl of this pasta… hmm I think I have a good plan ahead.. what do you think Jean?
Hi Malou! What a pity that those tomatoes went to waste! Yes, for sure, ask him for some. Most of the time there’s too much to eat for one family. Before I started growing mine my friends would give me loads of their harvest. I think your plan is awesome. Go for it! 🙂
Oh Jean this sounds ammmmazing! My hubz would fall in love again if I made this for him! 🙂 Thank you for sharing…I love this recipe!
Ooooh, this looks yum! I love the second photo too – it’s beautiful! And, I know this is weird, I love the background surface!
I can’t grow anything, sadly, I severely lack the green-fingered gene. It makes me sad, I’d love to be able to grow veggies and plants, but I just can’t do it. Everything dies! So I’ll be buying my tomatoes from the market, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still whip up a tasty dish or two =)
Jax x
I love every single ingredient that goes into making this dish; I bet it’s delicious. I will have to try this. Gorgeous photos as well!