Chef Chuck's Pesto Pasta Salad



Insalata di Pasta al Pesto

A summery pasta salad made with homemade pesto, radiatore pasta and all freshly picked vegetables, from my gardens. This unique shaped pasta absorbed the pesto, a fusilli pasta also would work well. Radiatore meaning radiator, looks like short thick grills.



Pesto Pasta Salad
12 ounces radiatore vegetable pasta
1/2 cup pesto
zucchini slices, thin cut in half
carrots sliced thin
onions, sliced thin
beets, sliced thin
peas
tomato, cubed
mozzarella cubed
fresh oregano
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Pesto

2 cups fresh basil
3/4 cups parmigiana, grated
1/2 cup pine nuts
2-3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil


Put all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor slowly drizzle in olive oil till all ingredients are combined. For this recipe you will need 1/2 cup, store the rest tightly covered in the refrigerator.


Cook pasta till "al dente", rinse in cold water to stop the cooking, drain well, set aside. Mix in the pesto. Add all vegetables, mozzarella, oregano, a drizzle of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar with the pasta. Salt and pepper to taste.

9 comments:

  1. The radishes are beautiful. At least, I think they are. They also look like beets. Amazing that all the veggies came from your garden.

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  2. Hi Nirmala! Yes those radish's when cut, were a surprises ! This year is a good year for gardening! Lot's of harvest coming in:)
    Thank you !

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  3. How lucky to grow your own vegetables !!! This summer pasta must have a unique flavor !!!!

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  4. Delicious! I love fresh basil..full of flavor ..thank you for sharing your recipe :))

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  5. Hi Cristina, So fresh and full of true flavors!!
    I love it!
    Thank you

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  6. Hi foodcreate, This time of year "Basil" lingers strong. It's Great:)
    Thank you!

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  7. Loved that you've used candy cane beet in this!! It looks too neat!!

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  8. Hi Ash, I didn't know the true name! These I believe, were in the radish selection of the garden. Different aren't they! Thank you :)

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  9. CORRECTION!! Ash they are candy cane beets!! I was in the wrong garden! Thank you :)

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