Penne with Grilled Summer Squash and Sweet Corn

By peridot728

Ingredients

• 1 lb. penne pasta
• 4 yellow summer squash (about 1 1/2 lbs.) - halved crosswise and each half cut lengthwise into 3 thick slabs (Make Ahead! Grill the summer squash up to 2 days ahead of using.)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears of corn), or use frozen
• 1 container (15 oz.) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 2 tsp. chopped thyme (FINISH IT UP!)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat a grill to medium-high. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot.

Meanwhile, brush the squash pieces with 1/4 cup EVOO and season with salt. Grill, turning once, until nicely charred, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop.

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, corn and remaining 2 tbsp. EVOO. Add the ricotta, garlic and thyme; toss well. Add the drained pasta and stir in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add more cooking water as desired.