Guide Note

Pasta Primavera is a classic Italian pasta dish, made with several vegetables, most often carrots, onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. It is usually seasoned with garlic and Parmesan cheese.

Fast Facts

1. In Italian: "Spring Pasta"
2. Typically vegetarian, though chicken or shrimp can be added
3. Prepared with a soffrito, including olive oil and green onions
4. Served hot as a main course and cold as an appetizer

Most chefs rarely use long pastas such as spaghetti for Primavera, preferring smaller noodles such as penne or farfalle. Bon Appetit recommends a recipe consisting sweet onions, asparagus and smoked ham.

BBC Food's Simon Rimmer recommends including baby spinach, Soya beans and a variety of spring herbs such as mint and basil.

Giada De Laurentiis' recipe calls for farfalle noodles, zucchini and Yellow squash.