Peperonata Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
• 8 large bell peppers (red, yellow, and green), cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 cup sherry vinegar
• 3 tablespoons capers
• 1 pound gemelli pasta
• 4 cups loosely packed spinach or arugula, washed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup crumbled chèvre or feta

Preparation

1. 1. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and next 5 ingredients, and saute 5 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until bell pepper is slightly wilted. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, reserving liquid in pan.
2. 2. Add garlic, and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add vinegar, reduce by half, and pour over bell pepper and onion. Add capers, and stir.
3. 3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse, drain, and toss with remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Toss pasta with peppers and remaining ingredients. Serve at room temperature, or chill up to 2 hours.