Penne With Peas, Pea Greens and Parmesan
- 1 pound fresh peas, shelled (about 3/4 cup)
- 6 ounces pea shoots (tendrils, shoots, leaves) (1/2 big bunch), curly tendrils removed and discarded
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch young spring onions or scallions, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 3/4 pound penne
- 1 to 2 ounces Parmesan, grated (1/4 to 1/2 cup, to taste)
- Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta.
- Meanwhile, steam the peas over an inch of boiling water for 4 minutes, until just tender.
- Transfer to a bowl.
- Add the pea shoots to the steamer and steam 2 minutes, until just wilted.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle them.
- Do not discard the steaming water; pour it into a measuring cup.
- Squeeze out excess water from the pea greens and chop medium-fine.
- You should have about 1 cup chopped leaves and tender stems.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add the chopped spring onion or scallions.
- Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Add the pea shoots and stir together for about a minute.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the peas, tarragon and parsley and about 1/4 cup of the steaming water and heat through.
- When the water in the pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta.
- Cook al dente, using the timing instructions on the package as a guide but checking the pasta a minute before the time indicated is up.
- When the pasta is ready, using a ladle transfer 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to the pan with the peas and pea shoots.
- Drain the pasta and toss at once with the vegetables and Parmesan.
- Serve hot.
fresh peas, shoots, extra virgin olive oil, young spring onions, salt, tarragon, parsley, penne, parmesan
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014690 (may not work)