Sneaky Vegie Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 100g pumpkin, grated
• 2 zucchini, grated
• 3 rashers pasture fed bacon, diced
• 250g grass fed beef mince or 500g beef mince only
• 250g pasture fed pork mince
• Sea-salt flakes, to season
• ½ cup tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 700g bottle passata
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper, to season
• 500g spaghetti
• Shaved parmesan, to serve

Method:

1. Heat ½ tsp oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat and fry bacon for 3-4 mins. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes or until onion is soft and transparent. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
2. Add remaining oil to pan. Increase heat to high. Add mince, pumpkin and zucchini, breaking up with a flat-bottomed wooden spoon, until browned. Season with salt.
3. Reduce heat to medium.  Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add wine, passata, sugar, bay leaves and onion mixture. Season with pepper and stir to combine. Bring slowly to the boil, then reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
4. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of rapidly boiling salted water following pack instructions or until al dente. Drain. Add 2 large spoonfuls of sauce and toss to combine. Serve pasta topped with remaining sauce, with parmesan on the side.