Pasta With Kielbasa and Swiss Chard

Papa D 1946-2012's Note:

Posting for ZWT 7. This recipes comes from epicurious.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3/4 lb swiss chard (preferably red, from 1 bunch)
• 1/2 lb kielbasa, quartered lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
• 3/4 lb penne
• 1/2 cup finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, plus additional for serving

Directions:

1. Cut out center ribs and stems from chard, then thoroughly wash, along with leaves, in several changes of cold water. Cut ribs and stems crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and coarsely chop leaves.
2. Cook kielbasa in oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Cook chard ribs and stems with salt in fat remaining in pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add chard leaves, water, and red-pepper flakes and simmer, partially covered, until chard stems are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove lid and stir in kielbasa.
3. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water and drain pasta in a colander. Add pasta to chard mixture with cheese and salt to taste and toss until combined well. Thin with some of reserved pasta water if necessary.

Reviews

[ChelseaW]

This was total comfort food and we loved it. Easy and delicious, doesn't get much better than that!

[BakinBaby]

Wow... what a dish! The kilbasa and chard mixed with the bland pasta, then all mixed up with cheese, I knew we'd love it. Will certainly make again. Kilbasa is one of our favorites, so this will go directly into our keeper file. Thanks for sharing such a loveley dish. Made for ZWT7 Shady Ladies.