Penne with Pea Pesto, Sugar Snap Peas & Pecorino

By ranmcm

Pea pesto fills in for the more traditional basil pesto with great success in this delicious pasta and sugar snap peas dish.

Ingredients

• PEA PESTO:
• 3/4 cup shelled English peas (from about 3/4 pound fresh peas)
• 1 small clove fresh garlic, smashed
• 1 teaspoon fresh mint, chopped
• 1 handful basil, freshly chopped
• 2 tablespoons pecorino cheese, freshly grated (plus more for topping)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• REMAINING DISH:
• 1 pound dried penne or other short pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup shelled English peas (from about 1 pound fresh peas}
• 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed, halved crosswise
• Freshly ground black pepper

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 60mins

Preparation

Step 1

PEA PESTO:

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add peas and blanch for 30 seconds, or a little longer if the peas are large. Drain and cool quickly in ice water, then drain again.

Place peas in a food processor with the garlic, mint, basil, pecorino and a pinch of salt. Pulse until well chopped. With the motor running, add olive oil through feed tube. Puree until pesto is nearly but not completely smooth. A slightly coarse texture is pleasing.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente.

While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add English peas and a pinch of salt. Saute for about 2 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup of the boiling pasta water. Simmer until peas are almost tender, about 5 minutes, adding more hot pasta water if necessary. Add the sugar snap peas and saute until they lose their raw taste, 1 to 2 minutes.

Set aside 1 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.

Return pasta to hot pot and add braised peas, pea pesto and several grinds of black pepper. Toss well, moisten with some of the reserved pasta water.

Divide among 6 warm bowls. Top each portion with a little grated pecorino and serve immediately.

Enjoy!