Zucchini, Tomato, and Basil Sauce for Pasta

An elemental vegetable garden taste summarizes what this sauce of zucchini and tomatoes is all about. It is a taste that comes through even more explicitly if you can obtain vine-ripened, fresh, firm tomatoes.

An important component of the light, bright flavor is the way the garlic is handled. It is sliced very thin and aside from a brief, preliminary contact with hot oil, it is simmered in the juices of the tomato so that what emerges of its aroma is the sweetness rather than the p