Fresh Pesto with Local Pasta
This week’s meatless Monday recipe is fast, fresh and so tasty. Making your own fresh pesto at home requires a few simple ingredients and a food processor. Add a bag of your favorite local pasta and… Viola! A delicious meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups fresh, local basil leaves (about 3 bunches)
- 1 bunch parsley
- ½ cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 cup of grated parmesan + a little more to garnish
- 1 cup olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup pasta water
- ½ cup + 1 tsp. salt
- One bag of local pasta
Directions:
For the fresh pesto sauce, combine basil, parsley, pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice and olive oil in a food processor. Blend until all is incorporated. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of water with ½ cup of salt to a boil. Cook your favorite local pasta to package instructions. Just before draining the pasta, scoop out ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta in a colander and transfer to a large bowl. Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat, adding more water if required to make pasta saucy. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired. Garnished with fresh parmesan and serve.
