4 quarts water
1 tablespoon salt
12 ounces ziti pasta
2 ounces olive oil
8 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage link -- remove from the skin (pork works great too)
5 cloves garlic -- chopped
1 small Vidalia onion -- julienne
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 small jalapeno (if you like it spicy leave the seeds in) -- finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper -- julienned
3 ounces button mushroom -- quartered
14 1/2 ounces petite diced tomatoes
2 ounces tomato paste
8 ounces heavy cream
as needed salt
8 leaves basil -- chiffonade cut (fine ribbon)
as desired Parmesan cheese