Linguini With Pea Pesto
- 1 12 cups peas (from approximately 1 1/2 pounds peas in pods) or 1 12 cups a 10-ounce package frozen peas, defrosted
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted and cooled
- 12 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 14 teaspoon table salt, plus more for pasta water
- 13 cup olive oil
- 12 ounces dried linguine
- thinly slivered basil or mint leaf
- If youre completely maniacal about your peas getting overcooked (I am!
- ), prepare an ice bath, a large bowl filled with ice water.
- Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add peas and cook for 2 minutes (this leaves them with a bit of structure).
- Drain peas then add them to the ice bath (if using) and drain again.
- If you havent used an ice bath, let your peas cool to lukewarm before making the pesto.
- Set aside 1/2 cup of your cooked peas.
- Whirl the remaining cup of peas in the work bowl of a food processor with garlic, pine nuts, 1/3 cup parmesan and salt until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as necessary.
- With the machine running, drizzle in olive oil.
- You can stop right here, toast some baguette slices and make some fine, fine crostini.
- Or, you can continue....
- Cook your linguine until al dente.
- Reserve about two cups pasta cooking water (yes, this is a lot, the pea pesto will be surprisingly thick) then drain linguine and return it to pot.
- Over moderate heat, toss pasta with pesto, reserved peas and as much reserved pasta water as needed to smooth and distribute pesto; let cook for one minute so that the pesto adheres.
- Adjust salt to taste, add freshly ground black pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs, if using, and remaining parmesan for passing.
peas, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, salt, olive oil, linguine, basil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/linguini-with-pea-pesto-460055 (may not work)