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Pasta with Arugula and Asparagus Pesto

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing a tasty pasta dish with arugula and asparagus pesto, a great spring variation of the classic pesto. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli or spaghetti work well)
  • 200 g of fresh arugula
  • 100 g of asparagus
  • 30 g of pine nuts
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 50 g of grated Pecorino Romano (optional)
  • 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • Fine salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. First, clean the asparagus by removing the tougher end part of the stalk. Cut the tips and set them aside, then chop the rest of the stalks into small pieces.
  2. Cook the asparagus in plenty of boiling salted water for about 5 minutes, then drain them, saving the cooking water for the pasta.
  3. In the meantime, prepare the arugula pesto. Wash the arugula and dry it well, then put it in a mixer with the pine nuts, peeled garlic, Parmesan, Pecorino, a pinch of salt and pepper, and the extra virgin olive oil. Blend everything until you obtain a homogeneous sauce. If necessary, add more oil to achieve the desired consistency.
  4. Adjust the pesto with salt and pepper, and set it aside.
  5. Cook the pasta in the asparagus cooking water following the times indicated on the package for al dente pasta.
  6. While the pasta cooks, heat a pan and lightly toast the asparagus tips that were set aside with a drizzle of oil for a couple of minutes.
  7. Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan with the asparagus tips.
  8. Turn off the heat and add the arugula pesto, mixing well to evenly distribute the sauce.
  9. If necessary, add a bit of the cooking water to cream the pasta better.

Serve the pasta with arugula and asparagus pesto immediately, possibly garnishing with flakes of Parmesan or Pecorino and some toasted pine nuts.

Curiosity

Arugula pesto is a spicier and less intense version compared to the classic Genoese pesto. Although this recipe is not a classic of Italian cuisine, it combines the love for fresh flavors and the use of aromatic herbs, two typical aspects of our culinary tradition.