Melon Madness (With A Hint of Crazy)

I've been doing a lot of fundraising lately. And failing miserably at it, but still chugging along and doing it. I need to have at least a thousand dollars by August 12. So I've kind of thrown shame and caution to the wind and am currently in the process of emailing every professor at MIT. I started with the professors I actually took classes with, one of whom emailed me back saying "Good luck with your run!" but then didn't donate anything. Now I don't mind if you don't donate. I understand. I'm not going to hold it against you or dislike you in any way because of it. I just think it's strange to go out of your way to acknowledge the fact that I am doing this and then not contribute at all when you could have just as easily not responded. Oh well.

For those of you who DO want to donate, the link is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nikesf09/jbruno. I know that we are in pretty hard economic times right now and so I hate asking for money, but it really is an AMAZING cause. As someone who is doing cancer research, I know how far this money can go. And think about it this way - a donation of only $20 will give someone up to five hospital visits.

Okay, I'm shaking off the seriousness now.

Putting on my happy face.

And daydreaming about pasta.

You see. The theme for this month's Monthly Mingle is Marvelous Melons. Easy you say. Fruit salad. Dessert. Salsa. Bruschetta. Light. Easy. Fresh.

I say, okay yeah but what about OUTSIDE the box. Now I've heard lots of stories about how amazing cantaloupe and prosciutto are together. They are a classic Italian appetizer combination. And so I thought I would take that fact, chew it up a bit, and then spit it back out as something completely different. Hence this Pasta with Cantaloupe, Bacon, and Feta Cheese was born. You may be doubtful but it was some kind of awesome. The saltiness of the feta and bacon contrasted so nicely with the sweetness of the cantaloupe. And pasta is just a good medium for any and everything.

I am submitting this both to Meeta's Monthly Mingle which is being hosted this month by Hilary of Chew On That, as well as to Presto Pasta Nights which is being hosted by Amy of Very Culinary.
Melon Madness Pasta with Bacon and Feta
Serves 4

1 lb pasta
3/4 of a medium cantaloupe, diced into small pieces
1/4 lb feta cheese
1/4 lb turkey bacon, diced into small pieces
1/2 cup basil, chiffonaded
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 shallot
salt and pepper to taste

1. Set up the water for the pasta. When it boils, add the pasta and then drain when it reaches desired consistency.

2. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan. Saute the shallot, some salt, red pepper flakes, and bacon over medium heat until the bacon is crisp.

3. When the pasta is done, mix it with the bacon mixture, cantaloupe, and feta. Season with salt and pepper.
Tonight is a blogger meet-up with Sophia from Burp and Slurp! If you are going to be in the NYC area, come meet us at Green Pea on 5th between 38th and 39th.