| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 12 mins – 15 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
Assuming the nutritional values for this recipe per person are: 345 kcal, 10g fat, 3g saturates, 50g carbs, 5g sugars, 2g fibre, 12g protein, 0.3g salt. The tables would look like this:
“`
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 345 | 10g | 3g | 50g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 2g | 12g | 0.3g |
“`
Please note, actual values may vary based on the specifics of ingredients and serving sizes.
Every once in a while, a recipe comes along that melds so beautifully with our culinary aesthetic that we just have to share it with you. One such dish is this delectable, fruit-forward stunner, the Celery Leaf and Lemon Zest Pasta. This delightfully fresh pasta dish pairs perfectly with a warm Southern evening – a gentle coastal breeze rustling the Spanish moss, the soft chirping of cicadas, and a grand porch-front spread reminiscent of the grand old Southern dinners of yore.
Celebrating the Art of Combining Flavors
For a Southern belle like me, born and bred in charming Charleston, South Carolina, my affinity for recipes that pay homage to our region’s exceptional produce and ingredients is obvious, yet there’s always room to explore and diversify. The Celery Leaf and Lemon Zest Pasta strikes a delectable balance between the savory and the bright, capturing the vibrant, zesty personality of coastal cuisine with a touch of down-home comfort. This dish happily speaks back to the Southern classics I grew up with whilst singing in harmony with my love for a splash of citrus and all things marine.
Summertime Pasta’s Unsung Hero: Fresh Celery Leaves
While this recipe boasts delightful components like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, aromatic minced garlic, and a generous handful of pasta – it’s the humble celery leaf that truly steals the spotlight. Often overlooked or discarded, this little leaf is the hero that elevates the pasta’s flavor profile to dizzying heights. Rich in antioxidants and loaded with numerous health benefits, it’s a wonderful addition to this summertime favourite. Coupled with the zing of lemon zest and a subtle undercurrent of salt and pepper, it creates an irresistibly complex taste sensation.
Our beloved Celery Leaf and Lemon Zest Pasta is certainly a dish that stands proudly on its own. However, if you’re looking to curate a full meal, consider pairing it with a Southern-style fried chicken, or perhaps a light, freshly-caught seafood dish, keeping the spirit of the coast alive. Maybe even venture into a biscuit-based dessert to follow – a nod to our deep South roots.
So, do yourself a favor and next time you’re searching for a refreshing and flavorful pasta recipe, reach for those celery leaves and fresh lemons and create a pasta dish that is both comfortingly familiar and exquisitely novel.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fresh celery leaves
- Zest of 3 lemons
- 1 pound of pasta
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
- 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Method
Step One
First, wash the 2 cups of fresh celery leaves thoroughly and let them air dry. Next, zest the 3 lemons until you have the required amount. Set these ingredients aside.
Step Two
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 1 pound of pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package, until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and set aside, keeping a small cup of pasta water for adding to sauce if desired.
Step Three
While pasta is cooking, take a large skillet and heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Add the 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and sauté until they become fragrant and slightly golden.
Step Four
Next, toss in the celery leaves to the skillet. Cook them until they wilt and become tender. This should take about 4 minutes. Then, add in the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, stirring well to combine all the elements.
Step Five
Turn off the heat and add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing together until the pasta is well coated in the garlic, celery leaves, and lemon zest mixture. If the pasta seems too dry, add in a little pasta water to loosen it up.
Step Six
Finally, top your pasta with 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle over 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, adding one last zing of flavor. Toss everything together one last time, and serve hot.
