Extra-Green Pasta Salad

From: cooking.nytimes.com

Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound short-cut pasta (such as rigatoni, campanelle or fusilli)
  • 3 cups /8 ounces sugar snap peas
  • 1 cup frozen English peas
  • 3 packed cups/3 1/2 ounces baby spinach
  • 2 packed cups/1 1/2 ounces basil leaves, plus more for serving
  • 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white miso
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 Zest and juice from
  • 4 ounces Parmesan (or other firm salty cheese, such as feta or aged Gouda), thinly sliced

Steps

  • Step 1Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then throw in a handful of salt. Add the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente. Just before draining, add the snap peas and English peas to the boiling water to barely soften, 20 to 30 seconds. Drain the pasta and peas, and rinse lightly with cold water; set aside.
  • Step 2While the pasta water comes to a boil, place the spinach, basil, oil, miso, garlic, and lemon zest and juice in a blender. Blend to a bright green purée. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and a few grinds of pepper, then blend again.
  • Step 3Transfer the purée to a large bowl that is big enough to toss all the pasta. Add the pasta and peas, and toss until coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan and more basil leaves. Toss once more before serving.