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Pasta Salad with Asparagus, Melon, and Goat Cheese

17/11/2023

Here’s a recipe for a fresh and spring-like pasta salad with asparagus, melon, and goat cheese, which offers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and the acidity of the cheese.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of short pasta (penne, fusilli or farfalle)
  • 1 bunch of fresh asparagus
  • 200 g of cantaloupe melon
  • 150 g of fresh goat cheese
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A few leaves of basil or mint to garnish
  • Lemon juice (optional)
  • Toasted pine nuts (optional)

Preparation

  1. Boil a pot of salted water to cook the pasta. When the water is boiling, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, trying to keep it al dente. Once cooked, drain it and pass it under cold water to stop the cooking and to keep it fresh.

  2. In the meantime, clean the asparagus by removing the tougher end of the stem. You can do this by bending them until they naturally snap off. Cut the asparagus into pieces, leaving the tips a bit longer.

  3. Steam the asparagus or cook them in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt, for about 5-7 minutes, until they are tender but still crunchy. Then let them cool down.

  4. Cut the melon into cubes, after peeling and deseeding it.

  5. In a large bowl, combine the cold pasta, cooled asparagus, and melon cubes. Crumble the goat cheese on top and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

  6. Gently mix to not break the ingredients and to blend the flavors. If you like, you can add a dash of lemon juice to give an extra touch of freshness.

  7. If you like, you can toast some pine nuts in a non-stick pan and sprinkle them over the salad before serving to add a crunchy note.

  8. Garnish with fresh basil or mint leaves.

Let the pasta salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving; this allows the flavors to meld well together.

Curiosity

The combination of asparagus and melon is not the most common, but it will surprise you with its balanced and refreshing flavor. Asparagus are one of the quintessential spring vegetables, while the melon, with its sweetness, creates a pleasant contrast with the earthy taste of asparagus and the creamy, tangy flavor of goat cheese. This dish is a great example of how flavors can be combined in a creative and delicious way.

Pasta Salad with Asparagus, Melon, and Goat Cheese