Asparagus Pesto Pasta

More About This Recipe

• You guys, it's happening. Now that spring has sprangidy sprung, the pesto plague doth stricken.
  
  It's all I think about. It's all I dream about. These days my hands are on autopilot to grab the processor, something green, some nuts, garlic, cheese, oil and blitzeroo my life into grand glory.
  
  No, I'm not applying a pesto body scrub right now, why do you ask?
  
  It's not that I'm bored with the traditional way of preparing pesto, with basil and pine nuts. Oh good grief no. I just felt like upping my own pesto ante and slipping in one of spring's shining stars for an unexpected "Whoa Nellie!" twist on the beloved paste that wins the hearts of many.
  
  A.S.P.A.R.A.G.U.S.
  
  Wait, wait! There's more.
  
  A.L.M.O.N.D.S.
  
  Did you feel that? That was the collective rumble of our hearts pitter pattering.
  
  This asparagus pesto pasta is unbelievably quick, seriously simple and so divine that you most definitely need to be sitting down when you take your first bite. The wonder of it will catch you off guard. Spread the pesto as is on crackers. (I did.) Serve it piping hot with pasta shells. (I totally did.) Or even serve it at room temperature for more of a pasta salad feel. (I most certainly did.) And then spread it over the crackers again. (I'm not ashamed. I did.)
  
  Let's make it!
  
  We have: little pasta shells, some almonds, asparagus, good parmesan cheese, garlic, oil, salt and pepper. Oh! Toast your almonds in a little skillet or a toaster oven for a few minutes, just to bring out that good flavor a little more.
  
  Trim the ends of your 'sparagus and slice them into 2-inch pieces.
  
  Throw them into some boiling water and cook about 3 minutes. Then using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a plate and pat them dry, like deez.
  
  Keep the water because we're just going to use that for the pasta. Look at us all environmental!
  
  Now, once the spears have cooled a little, dump them into a food processor along with the almonds, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper. Start blitzing it all together. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream.
  
  Beautiful and wondrous. And the pesto's not so bad either. OHHHH.
  
  But really, taste that on a cracker and feel the magic in your heart.
  
  Now, cook up your pasta until it's al dente, drain and toss with the pesto.
  
  Look. At. That.
  
  No, really. LOOK. AT. THAT.
  
  I need to lie down.
  
  More Delish Ways to Devour Pesto
  
  Broccoli Pesto Braid Recipe
  Mini Butternut Squash Calzones with Sage-Walnut Pesto Recipe
  Pesto Chicken Pizza Recipe
  Pasta with Tomato Pesto, Feta and Chicken Recipe
  Pesto-Pepperoni Roll-Ups Recipe
  
  *Bev will get on hands and knees and beg you to make this. She's prepared for it. For more musings, visit her blog Bev Cooks and her Tablespoon profile.