Best Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta With Chicken Recipes

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PASTA WITH PUMPKIN SEED PESTO



Pasta With Pumpkin Seed Pesto image

Fragrant with basil and rich with pumpkin seeds and cheese, this is the ideal dish to make ahead of time and pack for lunch. Instead of preparing it to eat as a hot meal or a cold salad, it's designed to be chilled and then enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Cooking the garlic quickly in the water boiled for the pasta softens its sharp edge. A splash of that same boiling water blends with the basil to keep it green. . Rinsing the pasta after cooking it helps the pesto stay flavorful for days in the refrigerator. The tomatoes add a tangy freshness, but they can be skipped altogether or swapped for green beans or peas (just drop them with the pasta during the last few minutes or cooking).

Provided by Genevieve Ko

Categories     dinner, lunch, weeknight, pastas, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 pound fusilli or other short, curly pasta
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds, plus more for sprinkling
1 large bunch basil (4 ounces), leaves and tender stems picked (3 cups)
2/3 cup/2½ ounces finely grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

Steps:

  • Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Drop the garlic cloves into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds to temper their sharpness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cloves to a food processor or blender.
  • Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente.
  • While the pasta cooks, add the pumpkin seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper to the garlic, and process until very finely ground. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the basil. Scoop 1/4 cup water from the saucepan with the boiling pasta and pour over the basil. Process the basil until ground to a paste. Add the Parmesan and oil, and pulse just until incorporated. Taste the pesto and season with enough salt and pepper to make it punchy.
  • Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water until room temperature. Shake dry, then return to the saucepan, and add the pesto and tomatoes, if using. Stir well until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among dishes to serve right away or airtight containers to pack for lunch. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan, and serve, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO



Pumpkin Seed Pesto image

This fragrant pesto features toasted pumpkin seeds and parsley -- along with dried chile and a touch of cinnamon -- in place of the usual pine nuts and basil for a seasonal variation on the Italian classic.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Yield Makes 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, cleaned and stemmed
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 small dried chile pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Cooked pasta, for serving
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread seeds on a baking pan. Bake until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
  • In the bowl of a food processor combine seeds, parsley, garlic, chile, and cinnamon. Pulse to combine. With processor running, slowly add oil in a steady stream until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with hot pasta; garnish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve.

PUMPKIN SEED PASTA



Pumpkin Seed Pasta image

I received this recipe from my Mom years ago. It is so yummy!!! A must try.

Provided by Nicole Devaney

Categories     World Cuisine     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3 pounds roma (plum) tomatoes, halved
2 bunches green onions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
1 (10 ounce) package goat cheese
1 (16 ounce) package gemelli pasta

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle the seeds with cayenne pepper.
  • Roast in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Watch them carefully so that they do not burn. Set aside.
  • Place the tomatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Scatter the green onion and garlic over the tomatoes. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil to coat.
  • Roast in the preheated oven 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly; remove the skins from the tomatoes.
  • Meanwhile, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the gemelli, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Stir the goat cheese into the hot pasta until melted. Then, stir in the roasted peeled tomatoes. Place the pumpkin seeds on top of pasta to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 771 calories, Carbohydrate 93.5 g, Cholesterol 44.8 mg, Fat 33.2 g, Fiber 9.5 g, Protein 31.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.3 g, Sodium 328.2 mg, Sugar 13.9 g

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO



Pumpkin Seed Pesto image

Categories     Condiment/Spread     Garlic     Herb     Backyard BBQ     Lemon     Pumpkin     Fall     Winter     Cilantro     Seed     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups unsalted hulled (green) pumpkin seeds
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
4 scallions, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pumpkin seeds with salt and pepper to taste, stirring constantly, until seeds are puffed and beginning to pop (some will brown, but do not let all of them), about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and cool completely.
  • Pulse seed mixture in a food processor with water, cilantro, scallions, and remaining 4 tablespoons oil until mixture forms a coarse paste (not finely ground). Transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

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