This Caramelized Zucchini Pasta Is the Summer Dinner You’ve Been Sleeping On
theSkimm
Real Farmers Market Heads™ know: Zucchini has a bit of a PR problem — and we’re here to solve it. Our first pitch? Dishing Out Health’s Caramelized Zucchini and Sausage Pasta. In this weeknight-friendly recipe, a whole pound of zucchini is sliced into coins and seared until golden and caramelized, then combined with savory chicken sausage, a delightful shell-elbow hybrid pasta, and a lemon-Parmesan cream sauce — all of which is topped with fresh basil and crunchy, lemony panko. The result? A dish that’s light, bright, creamy, crispy, simple, and satisfying. We could go on, but we’re betting you’re already convinced.
The Time Commitment: About 45 minutes.
Key Tips: The secret to perfectly caramelized zucchini? Resist the temptation to stir — it needs to cook undisturbed for three to four minutes per side. And while lumache pasta is ideal for catching every drop of the creamy sauce, any shape will work.
Other Takes: For more pastas that taste like summer, try…
Sun Gold Spaghetti alla Chitarra. We firmly believe Sun Golds are the only tomatoes that matter — and this dangerously easy recipe is their highest calling.
Angel Hair Pasta. Ready in 30 minutes and studded with juicy cherry tomatoes, consider this the redemption arc angel hair desperately needed.
Creamy Corn Miso Pasta. In this sweet, umami-packed goodness, peak-season corn is transformed into a creamy, dreamy sauce — without any actual cream. So it’s basically magic?
Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar
theSkimm
The only thing worse than accidentally causing your dad’s fiancé to ditch him at the altar? Being forced to go on a road trip to find her with your estranged father…and your one-night stand. That special kind of nightmare is the premise of Naina Kumar’s Just a Highland Fling. After Neelu’s booze-fueled rehearsal dinner rant sends her dad’s bride-to-be running, the dating show producer ends up driving across the Scottish Highlands with Jacob — the attractive bagpiper she met at the pub a few nights earlier, who, as it happens, now wants nothing to do with Neelu but knows her future stepmother better than she does. Though something tells us his disinterest won’t last long. We asked Kumar a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing that’s made you 10% happier?
Kumar: My under-the-desk treadmill. Walking helps me think and de-stress, and I love that I can do it while getting some things done.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?
Kumar: My mother’s salmon biryani, which isn’t super traditional, but she started making it when I was a pescatarian and now it’s my favorite.
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
Kumar: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album. I’ve had it on repeat since it came out. I’m seeing her in concert this fall, and I’m so excited.
PS: The “truly immersive” book Kumar loved so much she’s already counting down to the sequel? Find out here.
Think Paris Is the Pièce de Résistance? This French City Will Make You Think Twice
theSkimm
If The Hills taught us anything, it’s that you never want to be “the girl who didn’t go to Paris.” True — especially if Paris is still on your bucket list — but we’d argue France has more than one showstopper. Enter: Lyon, the country’s third-largest city and its undisputed gastronomic capital. In addition to the buzzy food scene, Lyon also has splendid museums, expansive green spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, exceptional boutique hotels (stay at Hôtel de l’Abbaye), and that same je ne sais quoi — without the overwhelming crowds and exorbitant prices. Plus, with easy day trips to the Beaujolais wine region and even Switzerland, Lyon is the kind of city that turns “just a weekend” into “how can I move here?”
👟 No visit to Lyon is complete without wandering around Vieux-Lyon — the historic old town. Among the maze of Renaissance-era cobblestone streets, you’ll discover 15th- and 16th-century buildings, storied hidden passageways, and the ornate Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste. From there, take a funicular ride to the top of Fourvière hill, where the main attraction is Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a 19th-century basilica with Byzantine-style mosaics, stained glass windows, and the city’s best panoramic views. As you make your way back down, be sure to stop at the Lugdunum Museum, which includes three archeological sites and a 10,000-seat Roman amphitheater that now hosts music, opera, and dance performances.
🏛️ Soak up Lyon’s culture with a tour of its standout museums: The Musée des Beaux-Arts — housed in a former Benedictine abbey — spans 5,000 years of history, from Egyptian antiquities to works by Rodin and Picasso. The Musée des Confluences blends anthropology, science, and natural history to tackle life’s biggest questions. Film buffs will love Musée Lumière, the family home of brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière, inventors of the cinematograph and pioneers who put Lyon on the map as the birthplace of cinema. Finally, Maison des Canuts chronicles the city’s silk industry and is located in the trendy Croix-Rousse neighborhood (essentially, the Lyonnais equivalent of Montmartre), so leave time for browsing the small boutiques, vintage stores, and Lyon’s best outdoor market.
🍴 Come hungry, because food is a main attraction in Lyon. Start at Boulangerie Saint Paul, where the minimum order should include a croissant and a pink praline brioche (a Lyon specialty). For lunch, head to L’Établi to enjoy a shockingly affordable set menu featuring seasonal dishes, mind-blowing bread, and some surprises along the way. And while you should absolutely indulge at Lyon’s Michelin-starred restaurants (we recommend Japanese-inspired Takao Takano), dining at one of its famous bouchons (a bistrolike establishment serving Lyonnais specialties) is a must. So make a reservation at Le Café Comptoir Abel and order the pike quenelle, chicken with morels, and pâté en croûte.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
My maid of honor and I have been going through a rough patch, and I don’t feel comfortable with her giving a speech at my wedding anymore. How do I tell her without making things worse?
“First, ask yourself: Are you both aware you’re in a rough patch, or is this just how you’re feeling? If you chose her to be your maid of honor, she’s one of the most important people in your life, so it may be worth clearing the air before making a decision you’ll both remember forever.
Also consider: Has she shown up for you? If she’s done the sometimes thankless work of being your MOH, you may not want to sideline her right before her biggest moment. Instead, say: ‘I feel like things have been off between us lately, and I don’t want to go into my wedding carrying that. Is something going on?’ Then listen. Chances are, you’re both carrying assumptions the other didn’t know about. You may not solve everything, but you’ll gain clarity on where the friendship stands. My two cents: Unless something truly unforgivable happened, don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary conflict. Don’t let a rough patch turn you into a bridezilla.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Julie Slavin
Licensed marriage and family therapist, and DJ merging music and mental health
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
This Caramelized Zucchini Pasta Is the Summer Dinner You’ve Been Sleeping On
theSkimm
Real Farmers Market Heads™ know: Zucchini has a bit of a PR problem — and we’re here to solve it. Our first pitch? Dishing Out Health’s Caramelized Zucchini and Sausage Pasta. In this weeknight-friendly recipe, a whole pound of zucchini is sliced into coins and seared until golden and caramelized, then combined with savory chicken sausage, a delightful shell-elbow hybrid pasta, and a lemon-Parmesan cream sauce — all of which is topped with fresh basil and crunchy, lemony panko. The result? A dish that’s light, bright, creamy, crispy, simple, and satisfying. We could go on, but we’re betting you’re already convinced.
The Time Commitment: About 45 minutes.
Key Tips: The secret to perfectly caramelized zucchini? Resist the temptation to stir — it needs to cook undisturbed for three to four minutes per side. And while lumache pasta is ideal for catching every drop of the creamy sauce, any shape will work.
Other Takes: For more pastas that taste like summer, try…
Sun Gold Spaghetti alla Chitarra. We firmly believe Sun Golds are the only tomatoes that matter — and this dangerously easy recipe is their highest calling.
Angel Hair Pasta. Ready in 30 minutes and studded with juicy cherry tomatoes, consider this the redemption arc angel hair desperately needed.
Creamy Corn Miso Pasta. In this sweet, umami-packed goodness, peak-season corn is transformed into a creamy, dreamy sauce — without any actual cream. So it’s basically magic?
Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar
theSkimm
The only thing worse than accidentally causing your dad’s fiancé to ditch him at the altar? Being forced to go on a road trip to find her with your estranged father…and your one-night stand. That special kind of nightmare is the premise of Naina Kumar’s Just a Highland Fling. After Neelu’s booze-fueled rehearsal dinner rant sends her dad’s bride-to-be running, the dating show producer ends up driving across the Scottish Highlands with Jacob — the attractive bagpiper she met at the pub a few nights earlier, who, as it happens, now wants nothing to do with Neelu but knows her future stepmother better than she does. Though something tells us his disinterest won’t last long. We asked Kumar a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing that’s made you 10% happier?
Kumar: My under-the-desk treadmill. Walking helps me think and de-stress, and I love that I can do it while getting some things done.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?
Kumar: My mother’s salmon biryani, which isn’t super traditional, but she started making it when I was a pescatarian and now it’s my favorite.
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
Kumar: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album. I’ve had it on repeat since it came out. I’m seeing her in concert this fall, and I’m so excited.
PS: The “truly immersive” book Kumar loved so much she’s already counting down to the sequel? Find out here.
Think Paris Is the Pièce de Résistance? This French City Will Make You Think Twice
theSkimm
If The Hills taught us anything, it’s that you never want to be “the girl who didn’t go to Paris.” True — especially if Paris is still on your bucket list — but we’d argue France has more than one showstopper. Enter: Lyon, the country’s third-largest city and its undisputed gastronomic capital. In addition to the buzzy food scene, Lyon also has splendid museums, expansive green spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, exceptional boutique hotels (stay at Hôtel de l’Abbaye), and that same je ne sais quoi — without the overwhelming crowds and exorbitant prices. Plus, with easy day trips to the Beaujolais wine region and even Switzerland, Lyon is the kind of city that turns “just a weekend” into “how can I move here?”
👟 No visit to Lyon is complete without wandering around Vieux-Lyon — the historic old town. Among the maze of Renaissance-era cobblestone streets, you’ll discover 15th- and 16th-century buildings, storied hidden passageways, and the ornate Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste. From there, take a funicular ride to the top of Fourvière hill, where the main attraction is Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a 19th-century basilica with Byzantine-style mosaics, stained glass windows, and the city’s best panoramic views. As you make your way back down, be sure to stop at the Lugdunum Museum, which includes three archeological sites and a 10,000-seat Roman amphitheater that now hosts music, opera, and dance performances.
🏛️ Soak up Lyon’s culture with a tour of its standout museums: The Musée des Beaux-Arts — housed in a former Benedictine abbey — spans 5,000 years of history, from Egyptian antiquities to works by Rodin and Picasso. The Musée des Confluences blends anthropology, science, and natural history to tackle life’s biggest questions. Film buffs will love Musée Lumière, the family home of brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière, inventors of the cinematograph and pioneers who put Lyon on the map as the birthplace of cinema. Finally, Maison des Canuts chronicles the city’s silk industry and is located in the trendy Croix-Rousse neighborhood (essentially, the Lyonnais equivalent of Montmartre), so leave time for browsing the small boutiques, vintage stores, and Lyon’s best outdoor market.
🍴 Come hungry, because food is a main attraction in Lyon. Start at Boulangerie Saint Paul, where the minimum order should include a croissant and a pink praline brioche (a Lyon specialty). For lunch, head to L’Établi to enjoy a shockingly affordable set menu featuring seasonal dishes, mind-blowing bread, and some surprises along the way. And while you should absolutely indulge at Lyon’s Michelin-starred restaurants (we recommend Japanese-inspired Takao Takano), dining at one of its famous bouchons (a bistrolike establishment serving Lyonnais specialties) is a must. So make a reservation at Le Café Comptoir Abel and order the pike quenelle, chicken with morels, and pâté en croûte.
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