Pasta With Zucchini Pistachio Pesto


I recently posted about our zucchini adventure this summer, and finally, after having no zucchini for the past several months, they are now coming in fast and furious. I am enjoying cooking with zucchini from the garden as I am pleased I do not have to buy them anymore. I just hope that when the temperatures heat up again next week as they are calling for that my zucchini plants continue to be prolific.

Today they are calling for the temperature to reach eighty-five degrees which may seem warm to some, but after experiencing weeks of temperatures over a hundred degrees, I am finding these temperatures quite lovely. I forgot what it was like to cook and not sweat while doing so. It was in fact so cool yesterday evening that we could have worn a sweater. It certainly makes sleeping in a farmhouse without air conditioning much easier!

Getting back to my zucchini dilemma…..When we first planted our zucchini, we were getting lots and lots of zucchini flowers, but the actually vegetable just wouldn’t grow. They started, turned yellow and shriveled up.

I went online to research the problem, and we tried less water, more water, added extra vitamins, calcium, you name it, we tried it. We finally gave up and planted four new plants in another area of the garden and now not only are the new plants producing, but the old ones that couldn’t grow zucchini have kicked in as well. I have a feeling we will have had our fill of zucchini by the time we leave Umbria in October!

Yesterday I picked five nice sized zucchini, and after roasting some, I decided to use the rest to make a pasta dish. I have tried making pesto out of many different ingredients, and after coming across a recipe for zucchini pesto, I wanted to give it a try. I based my recipe off of a recipe by Katie Parla’s recipe that I found on Food & Wine online. I didn’t have blanched almonds, so I used unsalted pistachios instead.

I also added some fresh parsley and basil to add a little herbal flavor to the pesto. I was a little concerned that the sauce might be a bit too bland for my husband, so I added a bit more chili pepper, but the combination of the cheese and chili helped bring the sauce to life. I used the dried linguini whole wheat pasta from Benedetto Cavalieri, but you could use any variety of dried pasta you prefer, both short and long varieties.

I used ricotta salata cheese which adds a nice salty bite to the pasta dish, but if you cannot find it, just use a little more grated pecorino cheese if you want when serving the pasta. My husband really enjoyed this pasta dish, so I know it is a keeper because he is very particular about his pasta.

Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele 

Pasta With Zucchini Pistachio Pesto

Pasta With Zucchini Pistachio Pesto

Yield: Serves 4-6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Pistachios
  • 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, Divided
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, Peeled
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
  • 4 Small to Medium Zucchini, Reserving Half Of One
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste
  • 1 Pound Dried Pasta Of Choice (See Notes Above)
  • 3/4 Cup Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley Leaves
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves

To Serve:

  • Shredded Ricotta Salata Cheese
  • Chopped Fresh Parsley Leaves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and scatter the pistachios across a baking sheet.
  2. Roast the pistachios for 7 to 8 minutes then cool to room temperature.
  3. Cut 3 of the zucchini into small chunks, and the last one into thin coins.
  4. Set the coins aside.
  5. Heat up 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and add the chopped zucchini chunks, chili, and the garlic.
  6. Cook stirring often until the zucchini has softened and the zucchini and garlic are starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
  7. Season well with salt and pepper. Spoon the zucchini and garlic mixture into a food processor along with the pistachios, half the grated pecorino cheese, parsley, and basil.
  8. Pulse until mixed but slightly chunky, drizzling in more olive oil as you process.
  9. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
  10. Place a large pot of salted water on to boil.
  11. Add the pasta and cook until it is “al dente”.
  12. While the pasta water is heating, place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the frying pan and cook the zucchini coins over medium heat, stirring often until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  13. Remove from the heat.
  14. Once the pasta has cooked, drain, reserving one small cup of the pasta water.
  15. Return the pasta to the pot along with the pesto, zucchini coins, remaining grated pecorino cheese, and a few spoonfuls of pasta water.
  16. Toss over high heat until piping hot, adding a couple more tablespoons of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  17. Serve the pasta in individual bowls topped with some ricotta salata cheese and parsley.

Did you make this recipe?

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3 Comments

  1. Amazing recipe! The idea of zucchini and pesto combination is something which I’ve never tried. Made it for dinner last night, we loved it. The pistachios, basil and parsley leaves gives a refreshing taste to the dish. I loved the texture of Zucchini noodles which I bought from Rossi Pasta. Will be making this again!

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