Tastes like summer ...

This pasta tasted crisp and fresh, like early summer, with herbs just picked from pots at my back door and tart, tangy slivers of lemon zest. I did make a few minor changes to the basic recipe. I added about 1/4 cup sliced green onions. I think I would have liked some mushrooms, too. My mint died out over the winter, so I didn't have any fresh mint to add.
PENNE WITH ZUCCHINI, FRESH HERBS AND LEMON ZEST
(Ellie Krieger/Fine Cooking/finecooking.com)
Serves 4
Kosher salt
3/4 lb. whole wheat penne
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium zucchini (8 oz. each), cut in half lengthwise and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick half moons
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh mint
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh basil
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until barely tender and just starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft and fragrant, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the zucchini mixture along with the Parmigiano, mint, basil, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, adding some of the reserved water if necessary to moisten the pasta, and serve immediately.