4.21.10 Pappardelle with Pistachio Pesto
I was out to dinner last week, and a menu special caught my eye: pappardelle with spring vegetables, parmesan and candied pistachios in a pistachio pesto sauce. If I wasn’t already salivating at the thought of a spring pasta dish, they had me at pistachio pesto. When the dish arrived, I was blinded by how lovely it looked for a few minutes, before realizing that it was served in a cream sauce, not the pesto I had been longing for. No matter, the dish was good, but the inspiration was better.
I made a few notes, mid-bite, and gathered the ingredients at the market the next day. I couldn’t shake the thought of pistachio pesto, and have found only one cure for my insanity. Indulgence. At first bite, my thoughts flickered to the dish I had just days prior. The crunchy snow peas, candied pistachios (don’t skip these!), long strands of pappardelle. Except the pesto just pushed it over the edge. Just as I thought, it was way better my way.
Pappardelle with Pistachio Pesto
serves 4
pesto
2 garlic cloves
3/4 c packed, chopped basil
1/2 c raw shelled pistachios
1/2 c packed, grated parmesan, plus additional for garnish
1 t salt
1/3 c olive oil
pasta
8 oz pappardelle
8 stalks asparagus, tough stems discarded, cut into 4” pieces
1 c snow peas
1/2 c peas
1 T olive oil
1 small zucchini, cut into very thin strips, lengthwise
1/2 c raw shelled pistachios
2 t sugar
1/4 t salt
1 t honey or agave nectar
In a food processor combine garlic, basil, pistachios, parmesan and salt. Turn motor on and add olive, in a stream, through the top hole. Pulse to desired consistency, scraping down the side of the bowl, as needed. Set aside.
Bring a large stockpot full of water to a boil. Add pappardelle and cook according to directions on package. With one minute left in cooking time, add asparagus, snow peas and peas. Remove from heat and drain pasta and vegetables in a colander. Return to stockpot (or serving bowl) and toss with pesto.
In a sauté pan, add olive oil and zucchini strips, over medium-high heat. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Transfer zucchini to the stockpot with the other vegetables, and reduce heat to medium-low. Add pistachios, sugar, salt and honey. Cook 30 seconds, stirring, until pistachios are well coated. Remove pan from heat.
Divide pasta and vegetables among 4 plates. Top with candied pistachios and grated parmesan, if desired.
Reader Comments (29)
I just finished my grocery list and was on my way to Whole Foods (Whole Paycheck), when I saw this! Yum, yum, yum and did I forget to mention yum?! Boyfriend hates peas though. Any suggestion for a sub? Asparagus? Thanks for this. Revising my list:)
This is so beautiful and looks amazing. I will have to make pistachio pesto soon - they're my BF's favorite nut.
I would just leave out the peas, Danielle. There is plenty of other vegis with the asparagus, zucchini & snow peas… Enjoy!
Pistachio pesto? I'm sold! Thanks for the recipe, can't wait to check it out!
pistachios are for sure of the foods I would take with me to a deserted island. The thought of them candied in a pasta dish is so intriguing!
Oh my. Yes, I much prefer the way this looks to anything with cream. Why dilute that amazing flavor? It would never occur to me to put these flavors together but I am intrigued!
I am so happy to see a new recipe! Yipeee. :) This looks sooo delicious! I am looking forward to make it. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
MUST try this one... and soon! I've been intrigued with other flavored pesto lately, so eager to try this one, after having lately done a mint pesto, which as fresh & divine. I love pistachios! Another beauty, Erin... thank you! :o)
WOW! This sounds incredible. I can't wait to try it!
MAKING. THS. NOW. or at least this week. tempted to throw favas in there since i want them in everything when they're in season but think i'll just make Suzanne Goin's fava puree to have as an app:)
Oh the colours! This looks incredible! I've never cooked with pistachios before. Sounds like a great idea : )
another beautiful post -- erin you have such a knack for colors! I have never tried Pistachio with pasta but it sounds WONDERFUL -- i would definitely try this recipe because of my LOVE for the oh so wonderful pistachio. Thanks for sharing :)
wow, great photo and recipe of food i really like it.
keep posting stuff like this
Ok. I'm definitely making this dish. Pistachios and pesto - two of my favorite things! Thanks for the culinary inspiration:)
this sounds absolutely incredibly! i love experimenting with pestos, one of my favorite additions to any dish.
This sounds and looks so tempting. Pistachio pesto seems interesting.
Mmmm...I've never had pistachio pesto before. Sensational!!
Hi, again, Erin! I had to stop back and tell you that my husband and I made this dish over the weekend... and we loved it! I somehow managed to forget to include basil on the shopping list... But I had a big bunch of fresh spinach in the fridge, so used that inside... it made a super substitution in the pesto along with the pistachios. We'll be making this again soon! :o)
What a great way to use pistachios! I'm making kale pesto tonight, but this is something I'll have to try soon.
Hi Erin! This recipe and the photos look delicious. Sorry I haven't been around lately. I'll try to do better. xo!
Just made this last night, Erin. C-r-a-z-y...my pesto was a little thick though...wondering if I did something wrong. But regardless, it's a keeper! Kudos:)
This looks so incredibly amazing!! Love the use of pistachios. I'm adding this to my "to make soon" list! I never use papparadelle noodles. I hope my basil plant decides to grow big and lush so I can have lots of fresh pesto this summer.
pistachio pesto sounds amazing....never had it....
I made this yesterday for my mom for Mother's Day and it was a hit! I love this recipe and will definitely be making it again.
This is fantastic. Made tonight, husband exploded (he loves pistachios), and it was super EASY! YUM!
(btw the candied pistachios pulled it all together. fantastic)
Made this last night for myself and a somewhat finicky husband - both of us were gobsmacked! Delicious!
I just made this for dinner last night and thought it was just excellent! I couldn't wait to tell all my friends and family about it!
How could you go wrong with Pistachios?!?!
This sounds amazing!! Can't wait to make it! Thanks! Happy St. Patrick's Day! =)
I made this for dinner last night and it was amazingly simple and delicious! It is definitely a keeper. My husband especially liked the candied pistachios....he saved all of his to eat at the end.