Grilled Veggie Pesto Pasta

Preheat grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (cover the grill and leave all burners on low heat for 5-10 minutes). Alternatively, if you plan to roast the veggies you can preheat your oven to 425 degrees F..

Meanwhile, prep the vegetables and place in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.

In a 1-cup measuring cup, whisk together the marinade ingredients.  Pour overtop prepped veggies and toss together well.

Place veggies on the preheated grill in a grill basket in one even layer.  Grill for 30 minutes rotating the veggies throughout and taking them off the grill as they finish cooking.  You want the veggies to be fork tender and have golden brown grill marks on both sides. The tomatoes can be removed after 10 minutes.  Set grilled veggies aside.

Alternatively, you can roast the veggies for 30 minutes in a cast iron skillet tossing halfway through. You want to roast until golden brown and fork tender. If using this method, you can separate out the tomatoes into a separate pan to allow the other veggies to get a nice caramelized golden brown sear. You can also saute all the veggies on the stovetop until fork tender and golden brown. Again, separating out the tomatoes helps get more of a golden brown sear since they will release their juices as they cook.

Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Be sure to rinse with warm water immediately after they are finished cooking.

While the pasta cooks, make the pesto in a food processor.

Once the veggies are finished grilling and the pasta is cooked and rinsed, combine everything together in a mixing bowl (pasta, pesto and grilled veggies).  Toss well and divide into bowls or plates.  Garnish with the optional balsamic glaze if desired. Serve hot.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days.  Reheat on the stove top with a little water and olive oil for best results.