Dinner: Shrimp and Roasted Fennel Ditalini

Recipe by /contributors/joan-lang Shrimp have glutamic acid, the main taste component of umami. And at only 119 calories per 4-ounce serving, the little fellas are quite the low-cal catch.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Shrimp and Roasted Fennel Ditalini

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1 pound (16 to 20) extra large shrimp, shells intact, thawed if frozen
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon salt, preferably sea salt, divided
1 fennel bulb, halved and sliced crosswise (chopped fronds for garnish, optional)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Grated zest of 1 lemon (1 julienned strip for garnish, optional)
1/2 pound whole-wheat ditalini

Instructions

Heat oven to 450 °F. Shell shrimp, but keep tails intact, if desired; reserve shells. In a small pan over medium heat, toast fennel seeds until golden brown, 5 minutes; crush. In a bowl, toss shrimp with fennel seeds. In same pan, bring 1 cup water to a boil with 1/2 teaspoon salt and reserved shells; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes. Remove and discard shells; simmer until stock reduces by half, 5 minutes. In a roasting pan, place sliced fennel, garlic, oil, pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss. Roast until fennel is tender, 20 minutes. Stir in shrimp, stock and zest; roast until shrimp are just cooked through, 5 minutes. Cook pasta as directed on package until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Add pasta to roasting pan; roast until pasta is completely cooked, adding reserved liquid a little at a time and stirring to reach desired consistency, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve garnished with julienned zest and fennel fronds, if desired.