Pasta With Corn, Zucchini And Tomatoes

Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter
1 cup corn kernels (from 2 or 3 ears)
1 cup diced zucchini or summer squash (from 2 or 3 small vegetables)
1 medium onion or 3 or 4 shallots, diced
¼ teaspoon minced garlic, optional
1 or 2 sprigs tarragon
4 plum or 2 large tomatoes, diced
1 pound cut pasta, like penne

Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it. Put 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until corn begins to brown. Add zucchini and some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini begins to brown.

Add onion or shallots and garlic if you are using it. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add tarragon and cook for 30 seconds, then tomatoes. Put pasta in boiling water and cook until tender but not mushy, 10 to 15 minutes.

While pasta cooks continue to cook sauce, reducing heat when tomatoes begin to break down. If the sauce dries out (with plum tomatoes, this is likely), add some pasta cooking water, about 1/2 cup at a time. When pasta is done, drain it, toss with sauce and remaining oil or butter, and serve immediately.

cooking.nytimes.com