| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 12 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 735 | 55g | 10g | 50g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 5g | 18g | 0.4g |
When I consider what to cook for a celebratory meal or a relaxing afternoon in the garden, my Spearmint Pesto Pasta immediately springs to mind. This unique fusion of the fresh, invigorating taste of spearmint, combined with succulent mixed fruits, results in a dish that resonates deeply with my Texan roots. For me, it’s like a mini-vacation, transporting you to the sun-dappled vineyards and citrus groves of my childhood in the Lone Star State.
Fruit and Herbs: A Match Made in Heaven
You may be wondering, fruit in pasta? Trust me, it’s a revelation, a harmonious blend of savory and sweet we just don’t see enough of in traditional pasta dishes. It’s similar to Myers’s Savory Fruit Salad, but instead of mixing the fruit with lettuce and vinaigrette, it’s paired with freshly cooked pasta and a flavorful spearmint-basil pesto. The strawberries, blueberries, and peaches included in the Spearmint Pesto Pasta, add a burst of mouth-watering juiciness and natural sweetness that balances the garlic and cheese flavors of the pesto.
The Health Benefits of Fresh Spearmint
More than just a palette-pleasing delight, the Spearmint Pesto Pasta also offers a range of health benefits. Spearmint, one of the starring elements in this dish, is known for its medicinal properties. According to Healthline, spearmint aids digestion, can reduce facial hair in females, and contains several potent antioxidants. When we combine this with the vitamins and minerals from the fresh fruits, and the protein from the Parmesan cheese, this pasta dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.
This recipe has its roots in the Tex-Mex cuisine I grew up with. But it also embodies my love for exploring new flavors and combinations. Imagine this – a sunny afternoon, a glass of rosé, and a serving of my Spearmint Pesto Pasta. You bite into a juicy strawberry, followed by a mouthful of pasta coated in a fragrant minty pesto, finished off with a hint of tartness from the lemon zest. Sounds like perfection, doesn’t it? Because it is!
Time and time again, I find myself coming back to this recipe. It’s a vibrant symphony of flavors – a unique, modern twist on traditional pasta that captures the essence of my culinary journey. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups fresh spearmint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- 2 cups mixed fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and peaches work well)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Method
Step One
Start by preparing all the ingredients. Clean the spearmint and basil leaves, peel the garlic, grate the Parmesan cheese, and cut the mixed fruit into bite-sized pieces.
Step Two
Place the spearmint leaves, basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and ground black pepper into a food processor. Blend until everything is finely chopped.
Step Three
With the food processor still running, gradually pour the olive oil into the mixture. Blend until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
Step Four
Cook the pasta of your choice according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain the pasta, but reserve a cup of the cooking water.
Step Five
Pour the pesto over the hot pasta and toss to combine. If the pasta seems too dry, add a bit of the cooking water to make it moist.
Step Six
Add the mixed fruit and lemon zest to the pasta and toss again to distribute the flavours evenly.
Step Seven
Serve the pasta warm, with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Enjoy your refreshing and flavorful Spearmint Pesto Pasta!
