The Party Girl Cookbook

by Nina Lesowitz and Lara Morris Starr

Published by Conari Press

336 pages, 1999

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Rasta Pasta
from The Party Girl Cookbook by Nina Lesowitz and Lara Morris Star

Pasta Salad with the colors of the Jamaican Flag -- green, gold, and black -- with a bit of red thrown in for pizzaz.

1 pound rotini pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 large yellow pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 16-ounce can black beans, drained
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
pepper to taste
3/4 cup olive oil

Cook the pasta in lots of salted, boiling water until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the peppers and sauté until tender, approximately 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

To make the dressing, put all remaining ingredients into a screw-top jar and shake until blended.

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, peppers, beans, and dressing. Chill for at least an hour or overnight. Serve in plastic drink cups for easy maneuvering. Serves 8-10.