Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound fennel bulb
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (3 ounces) freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese

Method

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Cut fennel bulb in half lengthwise; discard core. Chop the fennel into bite-sized pieces. Combine fennel, olives, rosemary, oregano, and tomatoes in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle fennel mixture with pepper; drizzle with olive oil. Toss well to coat. Bake fennel mixture at 450° for 30 minutes or until fennel is tender, stirring once.
  • Prepare pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; place in a large bowl. Add fennel mixture and salt, and stir to combine. Add cheese; toss to combine.