With asparagus season fading and summers produce starting to enter the farmers market I wanted to try a few of my favorites asparagus recipes. Top on my list was the asparagus pesto pasta . I had discovered a while ago that asparagus makes for a really nice pesto and I have been making it every year since. Pestos normally include a nut and I usually use pine nuts as they add a really nice creaminess to pestos. Recently I had been wondering about using pistachios in a pesto and I though that now was the perfect chance to try. This is one pretty green pesto with the asparagus, pistachios and even a bit of spinach. Of course the first thing that I thought to try the pesto on was a pasta and my choice of noodles was a whole wheat penne making for a nice light and fairly healthy Summer meal. The pistachio asparagus penne was a breeze to make and it tasted great! The pistachios worked really well in the asparagus pesto and I am looking forward to experimenting with using them in more pestos.
Pistachio Asparagus Pesto Pasta
ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (gluten free for gluten free)
- 1 cup pistachio asparagus pesto (see below)
- parmigiano reggiano to taste (grated, optional garnish)
- asparagus tips (optional garnish)
- pistachios (chopped, optional garnish)
directions
- Cook the pasta in well salted water as directed on the package.
- When the pasta is cooked to al dente drain the pasta water reserving some of it.
- Pour the pasta back into the still hot pan, add the pesto and enough of the pasta water to make a smooth sauce that coats the pasta.
- Serve garnished with parmigiano reggiano, the asparagus tips and some chopped pistachios.
Pistachio Asparagus Pesto
ingredients
- 1 cup asparagus (cleaned, trimmed, blanched and chopped)
- 1/4 cup spinach (optional, helps keep the pesto nice and green)
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons pistachios (toasted)
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- lemon juice to taste (optional)
- salt to taste
directions
- Place everything into a food processor and blend.
Asparagus Pesto on Penne
Pistachio Pesto
Asparagus Carbonara
Garlic Scape Pesto on Fusilli
Wild Leek Pesto on Penne
Asparagus and Ramp Pesto Pasta
Asparagus and Baby Artichoke Quinoa Salad
Zucchini Pistou Pasta
Swiss Chard Pesto
Spinach Pesto
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Asparagus and Pistachio Pesto and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken
Asparagus Pesto
Okay now you have captured two of my favourite ingredients…. pistashios and asparagus!!
Great looking and sounding dish Kevin!!
WOW…fabulous looking dish Kevin, I would love to site down and enjoy this on a warm evening.
I love the use of pistachio here 🙂
Just when I think I've seen every pesto variation, someone comes up with something new. This looks wonderful!
Yummmmmm I see pesto and I'm already hooked! But your pesto creation looks especially delicious. I love that you used pistachios!
wonderful how you play with greens in your dish!!!! Awesome flavors!!!
A delicious combination! That pasta dish is mouthwatering…
Cheers,
Rosa
Wonderful…never thought of pistachios for a pesto…super idea Kevin and great looking pic
Thats so innovative kevin, m sure it would have tasted awesome with pistachios and asparagus!
I think I could eat that pesto by the spoonfull!
WOW Kevin I love your use of pistachios in pesto what a brilliant idea!! Great dish.
In Sicily pistachio pesto is a must… but I never tried it with asparagus! Thank you for sharing this with Presto pasta Nights
Another winner: asparagus and pasta! :))
And have you tried asparagus, salmon, creme and pasta? I had that in a restaurant a while ago, it was gorgeous too 🙂
These is such a great idea! How green too!!!
Sounds like the perfect dinner for me…
Wonderful combination – like so many other commenters…a fave combo of mine.
Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Yum. Asparagus is so good right now. I tried making Soft Shell Crabs while this week. I hope you'll share this on my recipe exchange. Here's my link for Friday's Feast.
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts-soft-shell-crab.html
This is wonderful! I love using different nuts and greens in the pesto. And adore asparagus with pasta. It is singing to me.
Pistachio pesto has been on my radar for a long time. I am definitely whipping up a batch of this!
If somebody buys me a food processor I'll make it! It sounds perfect.
What an interesting flavor combo, I think it sounds delish!
Love the variation on the theme! I wouldn't have thought to use pistachios, but now that you mention it….. why not??
This looks fantastic! Really a great way to use asparagus…
Another inventive, beautiful dish! Your recipes never cease to amaze me.
Very rarely do we see 'stachios in savory dishes. Nice nice and nice!
Nice pasta dish! You have proven once again that pasta is the best starting point for dinner.
Kevin, this is so impressive! I'm always looking for new ways to make penne. I think I've found one! 🙂
Yet another delightful asparagus recipe! Pistachios are probably my favorite nut too. Just wonderful.
You do these simple, lovely pastas so well. What's your secret? GREG
Looks Yummy! I make pistachio nut pesto too. I use parsley instead of spinach and add lemon zest as well. Next time I'm adding asparagus.
diana
What a delicious looking combination.
I like mixing up the nuts in pesto too Kevin. It does make quite a difference.
This pesto looks particularly good. My hubby doesn't like asparagus, but I think it is all in his mind, so I may make this and see how he likes it. I will just say it is pesto of course until he tries it and gives me an unbiased opinion, then I will fill him in 🙂
asparagus pesto? fabulous!
I came across your blog yesterday and decided to try this recipe tonight and it was nice and simple and delicious! Lovely blog and lovely food, thanks for sharing (:
I can just imagine what this tastes like… 🙂
You have a lovely blog.
what an imaginative and affordable way to make pesto1 I'll be sure to give it a try next time I'm whipping up a pasta dish.
you should try using it as a condiment as well, bet it would be delish with under fried zucchini blossoms or under grilled halibut!
I love your recipes! I scored many scapes at Farmers' Market here in No. Cal. yesterday, and am going to incorporate them into the asparagus-pistachio pesto somehow…had some last night in a stirfry and they are amazing!