Penne With Asparagus-lemon Sauce

Submitted by TishT

"Take advantage of the seasonal bounty of asparagus and make this wonderful pasta. By using the water from the asparagus and pasta you will retain some minerals that would ordinarily be lost!"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 5-6

ingredients

• 1 lb fresh asparagus
• 5 -6 quarts water
• 2 -3 tablespoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon, zest of, minced
• 1⁄4 cup quality extra virgin olive oil
• fresh ground pepper
• 14 -16 ounces penne or 14 -16 ounces short pasta
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmigiano

directions

1. Snap the tough butt ends off the asparagus or peel to the tender core.
2. Cut the stmes into 1" pieces.
3. Reserve the asparagus tips Bring 5-6 qts water to rolling boil, add 2-3 Tbs salt, and cook asparagus stems for 6-8 minutes until soft and totally tender.
4. Remove stems with slotted spoon, refresh in cold water, and drain Cook the tips in the boiling water for 3-5 minutes until tender, remove with a slotted spoon, refresh in cold wate, and drain.
5. Reserve asparagus cooking water.
6. Puree the stems in a food processor with lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup asparagus cookign water, and salt and pepper to taste; transfer the sauce to a 3 qt pot.
7. Return the remaining asparagus cooking water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook until it still offers considerable resistance to the tooth, around three quarters of the recommended cooking time.
8. Drain, reserving 2 cups of pasta water.
9. Add pasta, asparagus tips, and 1/2 cup starchy water to asparagus stem puree and cook ina 3 qt pot over highest heat, stirring for 3-5 minutes until pasta is almost cooked and sauce coats pasta.
10. Add more pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, if sauce becomes too dry.
11. Sauce should surround pasta but be slightly liquid since cheese will thicken it.
12. Add the grated Parmigiano, heat for an additional minute to melt the cheese and serve immediately.

Reviews

[DinnerBelle]

This was a great change of pace pasta dish. My whole family liked it, including teenagers. I added the juice of a whole lemon and a generous pinch of cayenne to add flavor. Next time, I think I'll start with 2 lbs. of asparagus, and add one whole pound, steamed and chopped to the pasta at the end.

 

[Sackville]

What a creamy sauce this makes to coat the pasta in! I loved the vibrant colour too. The only thing that holds me back from giving this 5 stars is that the sauce was a touch bland but if you squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top and some freshly ground black pepper it really livens up! I would add a few extra asparagus tips as well.

 

[rsnelling42]

This was just ok- very bland.