This is a light meal of pasta and fresh vegetables. Substitute any fresh vegetables you might have on hand, using this recipe as a blueprint for quantities.

HELPFUL HINTS

" Any type of whole-wheat pasta can be used.

" Two crushed garlic cloves can be used instead of minced garlic.

SHOPPING LIST

" To buy: 1 package whole-wheat linguine, 1 red onion, 1 jar minced garlic, 1 red bell pepper, 1 container sliced button mushrooms, 2 plum tomatoes, 1 small package walnuts, 1 bunch scallions, 1 bunch fresh basil, 1 piece Parmesan cheese.

" Staples: olive oil, salt, black peppercorns.

Pasta Primavera

4 ounces whole wheat linguine

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup sliced red bell pepper

1 cup sliced button mushrooms

2 plum tomatoes, cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces (3/4-cups)

1/2 cup walnuts

3 scallions, sliced

1/2 cup basil leaves, torn into small pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large saucepan filled with 3 to 4 quarts water to a boil. Stir in the linguine. Cook 8 minutes or until the pasta is tender but still firm. Add 2 tablespoons pasta water to a large bowl. Drain pasta, add to the bowl and toss with the water.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet, and add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes. Saute 5 minutes.

Place walnuts in a toaster oven or under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not let them burn.

Add the pasta to the skillet, and toss well. Add the scallions, basil leaves and salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Serve on 2 dinner plates, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toasted walnuts.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 615 calories, 37 grams fat (4.9 grams saturated fat, 12.3 grams monounsaturated fat), 488 milligrams sodium, 8 milligrams cholesterol. 584. grams carbohydrate (10.8 grams fiber, 8.1 grams sugars, 21.5 grams protein), 936 milligrams potassium, 501 milligrams phosphorus.

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1/2 carbohydrate, 2 nonstarchy vegetable, 1 high-fat protein, 5 fat.

From "Mix 'n' Match Meals in Minutes for People With Diabetes" by Linda Gassenheimer, published by and reprinted with permission of the American Diabetes Association. To order: 1-800-232-6733 or shopdiabetes.org.