Pesto Squash Noodles and Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes
Homemade pesto tossed with raw squash noodles and spaghetti, topped with burst cherry tomatoes. This vegetarian recipe is easily made vegan and/or gluten free (see notes). Feel free to substitute 6 to 8 ounces of quality store-bought pesto for a quicker meal. Recipe yields two large servings or four side servings, which would be great served with big green salads!
INGREDIENTS
Pesto
2 cups packed fresh arugula and/or basil, tough stems removed
½ cup sliced shelled pecans
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Squash noodles and spaghetti
1 medium zucchini, julienne
1 medium yellow squash, julienne
⅓ pound (a little over 5 ounces) whole grain spaghetti or linguine
Burst tomatoes
1 pint cherry tomatoes or ¾ pound small tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Dash red pepper flakes
Dash salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cut off the tough ends of the squash and remove any discolored skin with a paring knife. Use a julienne peeler (or regular peeler) to slice the squash lengthwise, one side at a time. Stop once you get to the seeded part, then turn the squash to work on the next side.
Toast the pecans: In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the pecans, while stirring frequently, until they’re nice and fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the pecans to a bowl to cool.
To make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the arugula/basil, cooled pecans, Parmesan, garlic and salt. Pulse while drizzling in the olive oil. Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.
Once the water is boiling, cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta and return to pot.
Cook the tomatoes: First, slice about 5 of the tomatoes into thin rounds and reserve them for later. In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and red pepper flakes. Once the oil is shimmering, add the whole cherry tomatoes and a dash of salt. Let the tomatoes cook, stirring occasionally, until they are blistered in spots and starting to pop, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook, lightly crushing the tomatoes with the back of a big spoon or silicone spatula, until they are beginning to break down, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sliced tomatoes.
To assemble the pasta: Combine the pasta and squash noodles in a serving bowl. Add most of the pesto and a couple tablespoons pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more pesto or pasta water until the noodles are sufficiently coated in pesto. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, if desired. Divide the noodles into individual bowls and top with cherry tomatoes. I finished mine with another twist of freshly ground black pepper.
NOTES MAKE IT VEGAN/DAIRY FREE: Omit the Parmesan altogether or add nutritional yeast, to taste, in its place. MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Use your favorite gluten-free noodles or just make extra squash noodles. MAKE IT NUT FREE: Substitute pepitas for the pecans or omit the nuts altogether for an herby olive oil sauce. STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: Pesto is best consumed immediately after making. It oxidizes with air exposure, so store it separately from other components, with plastic wrap pressed against the top. CHANGE IT UP: Use any pesto you like, whether homemade or store-bought. During cooler months, non-starchy roasted vegetables would be a great substitute for the tomatoes. RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: I love my julienne peeler and food processor.