SPINACH PESTO WITH WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA

Spinach Pesto with Whole-Wheat Pasta image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 bunches flat-leaf spinach (about 1 pound total), trimmed and washed
10 ounces whole-wheat short, tubular pasta
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/3 cup walnuts, toasted
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water; place a colander inside, resting in ice.
In batches, stir spinach into boilingwater. Cook until wilted and brightgreen, about 30 seconds. Transfer spinachto the colander (in the ice bath)to stop cooking. Reserve boiling water.Cool completely in ice bath, then liftcolander; squeeze spinach dry.
Cook pasta in reserved boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Save 1/2 cup pasta water; immediately drain pasta, and return to pot.
Meanwhile, place spinach, Parmesan, walnuts, garlic, and lemon zest and juice in a food processor. Process until a coarse paste forms. With motor running, add oil and 1/4 cup plain water; process until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
Add tomatoes and pesto to pasta; toss, adding reserved pasta water to coat pasta, if necessary. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, as needed. Serve with additional Parmesan, if desired.