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Pasta with parsley pesto

17/11/2023

I can help you with a recipe for Pasta with parsley pesto. This is a variant of the classic Genovese pesto, where basil is replaced with parsley for a fresh and slightly different flavor.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your favorite)
  • 2 bunches of fresh parsley
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 40 g of pine nuts (you can also use walnuts or almonds if you prefer)
  • 60 g of grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano for a stronger flavor)
  • Extra virgin olive oil (enough to achieve the desired consistency)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean and wash the parsley, then dry it well.
  2. Lightly toast the pine nuts in a pan until they turn golden. Be careful not to burn them.
  3. In a blender or mortar, start by crushing the garlic with a pinch of salt.
  4. Add the parsley and continue to work all the ingredients. If using a blender, pause occasionally to prevent the blades from overheating and to preserve the color of the parsley.
  5. Add the toasted pine nuts and blend until you get a grainy texture.
  6. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix well.
  7. Pour the extra virgin olive oil in a thin stream while stirring, until you reach the desired creamy consistency. Adjust salt and, if desired, add a pinch of black pepper.
  8. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water, following the packet instructions to achieve an al dente texture.
  9. Drain the pasta and save some of the cooking water.
  10. Dress the pasta with the parsley pesto, adding a little pasta cooking water to make the sauce even creamier.
  11. Mix well and serve immediately.

Interesting Facts

Parsley pesto is a very versatile sauce that can not only accompany pasta but is excellent for flavoring grilled meats or as a dressing for bruschetta. Moreover, parsley is rich in vitamins and has beneficial properties for health.