Vegan Pumpkinseed Pesto Pasta

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By Chef Amanda DeLaura


Veggies, veggies, veggies! This pasta is the best of all worlds by combining pasta with fresh vegetables — a dinner that is both satisfying and health-conscious. There are two important things you should know before beginning this recipe. 1) be sure to remove the stems and buds from your basil. This will ensure you do not make a bitter pesto. 2) if you use frozen peas, place them in your strainer before draining your pasta. Drain your pasta over the peas and the boiling water will quickly bring the peas to room temperature. And lastly, if you’re not vegan by choice and you wish to serve a protein with this pasta, you can’t go wrong with adding some shrimp scampi last minute. Have fun and bon appétit!

Serves 4 to 6

Printable recipe

Ingredients:

12 oz Jovial’s Brown Rice Fussili
1batch pesto (see below)
1 zucchini, sliced 1/8” thick on diagonal
1 yellow squash, sliced 1/8” thick on diagonal
1 head brocollini, chopped into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup petite peas, thawed
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 Tbsp minced parsley
Pumpkinseed Pesto:
3 oz basil, rinsed & dried
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
2 small cloves garlic


Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the pesto and process in a food processor (or Vitamix) till very smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the processor 1 or 2 times.


2. Once pasta water has boiled, add 1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the pasta and cook according to packaging, about 12 minutes. Drain pasta through strainer and return the pot to stove, leaving the pasta in the strainer.


3. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil to pot (and/or clarified ghee, if desired) and add sliced zucchini and squash. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned and tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add broccolini and continue to cook for one minute. Turn off heat and add the pasta, peas, pesto and cherry tomatoes. Toss and then add chili flakes and parsley. Season with extra salt and pepper, as desired. Serve, garnish with extra basil or parsley and enjoy!

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