• Fast

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 quart)
2. 2 cloves garlic, smashed
3. 6 tablespoons olive oil
4. 3/4 teaspoon salt
5. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
6. 1/2 cup thin-sliced basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley
7. 3/4 pound fettuccine
8. 2 bunches watercress (about 10 ounces in all), tough stems removed (about 5 cups)

Directions

1. In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, toss the tomatoes with the garlic, oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper, and basil. Set the mixture aside.
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the fettuccine until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain, return to the hot pan, and toss with the tomato mixture, the watercress, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Notes

Variations

• Use five cups of shredded arugula leaves instead of the watercress.
• If you have lovely ripe summer tomatoes, substitute them for the cherry tomatoes.
• For a more colorful version, use spinach fettuccine instead of regular. The taste will be just slightly different.
• Serve the pasta with a little bit of goat cheese crumbled over the top.