Best Recipe for Kale and Pistachio Pesto Spaghetti
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 large bunch kale, stemmed and leaves torn (about 1 pound)
- 10 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons roasted salted pistachios
- 1 clove garlic, smashed
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges, for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Add the kale to the boiling water and cook, stirring, until just wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the kale to the ice water (keep the water boiling). When cool, drain well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Coarsely chop the kale.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, pulse the pistachios and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the kale and parsley and pulse until very finely chopped. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream. Add the Parmesan, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to incorporate.
- Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water if it seems dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
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