CELERIAC PASTA WITH HERBED TOMATO SAUCE

WF  DF  GF  SF  VEG  VG    Serves 4

If you need a change from zucchini linguini, then why not introduce a new vegetable pasta into your repertoire? You should never judge a book by its cover and, although it’s not the prettiest vegetable in the bunch and a bit nobbly, celeriac makes a beautiful ribbon pasta when thinly sliced. It has a wonderfully creamy and slightly nutty taste, and partners perfectly with herbed tomato sauce or puttanesca.

1 celeriac, peeled

500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) vegetable stock

HERBED TOMATO SAUCE

2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

1 red capsicum (pepper), seeds and membrane removed, very finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 onion, chopped

7 whole tomatoes, peeled and chopped (see note)

3 tablespoons tomato paste (concentrated purée)

6 drops stevia liquid

½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped mixed basil and parsley

To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the capsicum, garlic and onion and cook, stirring often, for 6–8 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, stevia, salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Stir in the basil and parsley and taste for salt and pepper, adjusting if necessary. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, to make the pasta, use a mandolin or knife to cut the celeriac into fine ribbons. Heat the vegetable stock to a simmer. Place the celeriac in the simmering stock and cook for 3 minutes, or until tender.

Serve the pasta topped with the tomato sauce.

NOTE: The tomato sauce will keep in the fridge in a sterile, tightly sealed jar for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to a month in a sealed container. To peel the tomatoes, carefully make a slit down one side of each tomato and place in a large bowl. Top with boiling water, ensuring they are well covered, then leave them for a few minutes. Before straining off the water, test one to ensure that they are ready – the skin should peel off easily. If it does, strain the tomatoes and allow to cool before peeling them.

Health Benefit

Celeriac is bursting with calcium and magnesium and immune system–enhancing zinc. It contains water-soluble fibre which helps to lower cholesterol, and is also beneficial to the nervous, lymphatic and urinary systems.