Pea and Watercress Pasta

By maredan

Ingredients

• 350 g penne or other short pasta shape
• 300 g fresh peas
• 1 garlic clove , peeled
• 100 g bag watercress , tough stalks removed
• 2 tbsp mascarpone
• 2 tbsp chopped tarragon
• zest and juice 1 lemon

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Cook the pasta following packet instructions. Meanwhile, cook the peas and garlic in a separate pan of boiling salted water for 3-5 mins, until tender. Drain well, keeping some of the water.
Put the peas, garlic and watercress in a food processor with 2 tbsp of the pasta cooking water. Whizz to a very rough purée.
Return the pasta to the pan. Stir in the pea mixture, mascarpone, tarragon and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper and serve with crusty bread.
Variations
This recipe would be equally delicious made with the same quantity of shelled and podded broad beans instead of peas. You could also use mint instead of tarragon.