Dom's Sweet Sausage with Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes

[missysedai.livejournal.com]

Last night, I had some beautiful things come out of the garden - a HUGE zucchini, 2 Black Brandywine tomatoes, 4 Pineapple tomatoes, 3 yellow peppers and 3 green peppers. Basil and oregano also in the garden, singing...

It gave me ideas...there's a dish I learned to make when I was in the kitchens at Dominic's that I still love to make...

Dom's Sweet Sausage with Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes

2 pounds sweet Italian sausage, cut into one and a half to two inch chunks
6 large tomatoes, large dice
6 large sweet peppers, halved and sliced
2 large Vidalia onions, halved and sliced
1 large or two small zucchini, halved and sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped

1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
3 cups tomato juice

In a large saucier over medium heat, combine the tomato paste and tomato juice. Whisk until smooth, add sausage and garlic, cover and simmer.

While the sausage is cooking, slice the veggies and chop the herbs. Add the onions first, simmer for about five minutes, then add the peppers, then the zucchini. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes. Stir well,

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped basil and oregano, stir well, and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve over cooked pasta.

I served this last night over wild mushroom fettucine, with Asiago bread, more fresh tomatoes, and Pentamere's Rosé.

[crossposted to df_recipes, real_cooking and my journal]