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1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
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2
Add the pastina and cook for half the time recommended on the package.
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3
The pasta should still be very firm in the center as it will be cooked more.
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4
Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and drain again.
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5
Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
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6
(You can prepare the pasta to this point up to 8 hours ahead; refrigerate it until you are ready to finish the dish).
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7
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over high heat.
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8
Add the garlic and saute until browned.
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9
Add the oregano and cook briefly to release its fragrance, then add 1 1/2 cups water.
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10
Bring the liquid to a boil, add the partially cooked pasta, and stir to coat.
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11
Add 1 cup stock or broth, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed, 3 to 4 minutes.
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12
Add the Roasted Tomato and Pepper Sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, then stir in the spinach to wilt.
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13
Thin, if desired, with some of the reserved pasta water.
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14
Remove from the heat, place in serving spoons and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
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15
Serve warm.
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16
Note: If you don't have any small pasta shapes in the pantry, you can grind spaghetti in your food processor until it's reduced to short lengths.
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17
Put the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the broiler to high.
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18
Smash the tomatoes with your hands and put them and their juice to a large bowl.
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19
Add the peppers, garlic, oil, vinegar, and rosemary.
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20
Season with salt and pepper and mix the ingredients well.
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21
Pour out onto a shallow baking pan and place the pan on the middle rack of the oven under the broiler for 15 minutes.
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22
Give the mixture a good stir and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
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23
Puree the mixture in batches in a blender.
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24
(Do not fill the blender more than half full and hold a kitchen towel firmly over the blender lid while pureeing.
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25
Hot liquids can expand causing the lid the pop off and the hot liquid to splatter.)
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26
If not using right away, allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.