Pasta con tenerumi

Pasta con tenerumi is a traditional Sicilian dish prepared with tenerumi - the tips, buds, and tender end leaves (tenere) of Sicilian summer squash (also known as zucchina or cucuzza in local dialect). The dish is typically prepared in the summer, and other ingredients include tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, often zucchini, and pasta such as spaghetti or similar long and thin pasta that's often broken into smaller pieces while preparing this dish. When the sauce is ready, the tenerumi are simmered in water with the pasta, and the two are then mixed and seasoned depending on personal preferences. Pasta con tenerumi is usually garnished with lots of ground black pepper and drizzled with olive oil before serving, while a topping of grated Pecorino is always a welcome addition.