Italian Minnesota "Hot Dish"

2 sm.-med. zucchini 

¼ lg. purple shallot - chopped

½t fresh ground black pepper

½c roasted-salted pumpkin seed kernels

½t garlic sea salt

1-2 T butter

2 lg. garlic cloves - chopped

¾ lg. purple shallot - chunked

1 14.5oz. can diced tomatoes

1½c dry pasta

Saute' the first group of ingredients over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, to brown the zucchini a bit.  Cook until the vegetables get somewhat translucent.  Add the next group, cover and simmer for 15 minutes on low-medium heat.  Check and stir occasionally.  Meanwhile cook the pasta until it's almost al dente.  Drain, then quickly transfer the pasta to the vegetable pan and fold together.  Add a ladle or two of the pasta water to the vegetable mix, stir gently.  Bring the pan back to a quick boil, stirring the whole time.  Pour into a casserole container and proudly take this Italian Minnesota Hot Dish to your next Pot Luck Dinner...Lin