zucchini corkscrew pasta with cilantro pesto Recipe

Ingredients

12 12 12 oz corkscrew pasta
3 3 1/4 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 in thick
1/3 1/3 1/3 c evoo
2 2 2 tsp cumin
1 1 1 tsp lime zest
2 2 2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 1/4 1 1/4 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 1/2 1/2 c roasted pine nuts
2 2 1/4 c tightly packed cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus 1/4 c leaves
3 3 3 tsp lime juice
3/4 3/4 3/4 tsp crushed red chile flakes

Preparation

Step 1

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. add pasta; cook until barely tender, 8 minutes, then add zucchini, cook until pasta is al dente and zucchini barely tender, about 3 minutes. drain, reserving 1/2 c pasta water.
Meanwhile, put oil, cumin, lime zest, garlic, salt and pine nuts in blender and blend until smooth. add 2 cups cilantro and process until smooth. pour into a bowl and stir in lime juice, chile flakes.
Return pasta and zucchini to warm pot. toss with cilantro pesto and pour in enough pasta water to loosen.