Peas scream spring to me. The bright green color with that nice bright fresh taste….. kind of like a fresh spring day.
Ah spring, so lovely, so nice, so hasn't made its way here yet. So I guess I am left to eat my spring. And what better way to highlight those lovely spring tastes? A fantastic pesto my friends, and it can be made lickidy split.
Pesto is one of those things that I am constantly making, and not just the kind most people think of with basil and nuts, I pesto everything..peppers, greens, carrots, squash. And yea, I used this post to make a pesto pasta dish, but pesto has so many other fantastic uses. Like as a sandwich or wrap spread or a dip for veggies and crackers. I have used it as a soup base, a pizza sauce, on roasted potatoes and marinated tofu with pestos. It can also be thinned down and used as a salad dressing. See, so many uses.
And this pea pesto is no exception. It has such a great light, almost fruity, super bright taste. I mean, it's peas so it taste just like peas but somehow even better. It really works in my mouth. I could eat a bowl of this stuff and be happy.
Whatever you plan on using it for, make the pesto. You will be thanking me later.
Pesto Stuff. We got the peas, garlic, lemon, oil, cheese if you please, and salt. 
Take a handful of peas and set aside for later. Juice the lemon and take that and the rest of the stuff and stick in a food processor and puree until smooth.
Oh my, so green, so good. I first made it without cheese and scooped a little out for me. It was perfect. Like the most brilliant bright pea flavor ever. It made me happy. After I added in the cheese, the mister said it tasted even better…. so cheese or not, it's going to be good!
The pesto is made, and it only took about 2 seconds, now boil up the pasta. If you were a thinker, you could start the pasta and make the pesto while its boiling. (I wasn't being a thinker) I used bow ties cause they are super cute, but use whatever pasta you're feeling. Shells or the ones that look like little brains would be good options.
Once the pasta is cooked, strain, reserving about 1/4 cup of the water. Add that bit of water back to the pot, add in the pesto, give a stir and dump pasta back into the pot. Toss in a handful of peas, maybe sprinkle some cheese and give it a good crack of some pepper.
Into a bowl and served with a fork to eat it with. A super green fresh springy meal of happiness. And all under 15 minutes in the kitchen.
Oh you want to thank me for this...
Hey, not a problem….not a problem at all.
-C
Spring Pea Pesto and Bow Ties
Makes enough pesto to coat a pound of cooked pasta and have some left over for sandwiches or to spread on crackers.
- 1 lb. fresh or frozen peas (thawed if frozen)
- 1 lemon
- 4-5 cloves garlic
- 2 ish tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan, really or vegan (optional)
- salt
- 1 lb (an average box) of bow tie pasta (use any whole wheat, vegan, gluten free variety)
Place peas, (remove a handful and set aside to toss into the pasta) garlic, the juice of the lemon, olive oil and the parmesan (if you are using) into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste and salt as needed.
Pasta… Boil per instructions on box. Strain pastas but save about a 1/4 cup of starchy water. Toss pasta, starchy water and pesto together, adding in the handful or more of the whole peas. Sprinkle with more parmesan and or cracked pepper ,if wanted, and serve in big bowls.
Use a fork. Eat, smile and be happy.