Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  pound         Italian sausage
   1                    onion -- large, chopped
     1/4  teaspoon      fennel seeds
   1      can           chickpeas -- drained 19 oz
   3                    zucchini -- chunks
   1                    salt
   1      tablespoon    olive oil
   1      teaspoon      basil -- dried
   1                    bay leaf
   1      cup           small shell pasta
   1                    parsley -- fresh, chopped
   1                    black pepper -- freshly ground

Preparation:

Place sausages in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and cut into 1/2 inch slices. In a large saucepan, heat oil on high heat and cook sausage slices until browned on all sides. Add onion and garlic; cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, including juice, basil, fennel seeds and bay leaf. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add chickpeas, pasta shells and zucchini. Cover and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes more or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. For a meatless dish, leave out the sausage.