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First Taste of Spring

Welcome spring with pesto, pasta, and greens.

Pappardelle with Arugula Walnut Pesto Recipe
By Annemarie Ahearn
Photographed by Mark Fleming
From our April 2016 issue

A bowlful of greens cleanses the mind and belly of the winter blues and all the heavy eating and drinking that went along with them. Pulling together a lovely spring mix from the garden — so young and tender, they need little to no heat — is no challenge at all. Ribbons of warm, eggy pasta are tossed in a pungent pesto of arugula and walnuts, folded with asparagus spears and snap peas, and then gently twisted into a nest that rests at the base of the bowl. A spoonful of fresh ricotta and a hit of lemon zest add a small indulgence to this sprightly dish.

Pappardelle with Arugula Walnut Pesto

SERVES 4

For the arugula pesto:

1 cup walnuts (or the nut of your choice)

2 cloves garlic

2 pinches of salt

juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 cup olive oil

5 cups arugula (or other greens)

1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino

For the pasta:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 bunch asparagus, tough ends removed, then cut into 1½-inch segments

½ cup snap peas, chopped into thirds on a diagonal

8 ounces pappardelle

1 cup tender spring greens (dandelions, arugula, pea tendrils)

½ cup fresh ricotta

1 small bunch chives, finely chopped

zest of 1 small lemon

sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat oven to 375 degrees and toast walnuts on a sheet pan for 8–10 minutes or until they start smelling toasty. Place garlic, walnuts, and a pinch of salt in the food processor and blend until thoroughly combined. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and process until blended. With the processor still running, add greens and process until they are completely incorporated. Transfer to a medium bowl and fold in grated cheese. Set aside.

In a large cast-iron or sauté pan, heat olive oil. Add asparagus, and salt generously. Add peas when asparagus begins to turn bright green. When asparagus is just tender, turn off heat, move vegetables to a bowl, and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and boil until al dente. Strain, reserving 2 cups pasta water. Toss pasta with pesto and add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen it up. Add asparagus, peas, and spring greens to the pasta, giving it all a good toss to distribute the ingredients. Place a nest of pasta in each bowl and top with a little scoop of ricotta. Garnish with chives and lemon zest.


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Down East April 2016 Cover