Squash Pesto Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a vegetable peeler to peel squash, then halve it lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Dice squash flesh into 1-inch pieces, place on a baking sheet, and toss with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Spread pieces into an even layer, making sure there is space between them. Roast, stirring squash pieces once or twice, until golden brown and tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; have ready a bowl of ice water. Drop kale into boiling water and cook for 45 seconds. Use tongs or slotted spoon to transfer kale to ice water. Bring water in pot back to a boil, adding more if necessary so there is enough to cook pasta.
• Drain kale well, then wrap tightly in a dry kitchen towel and squeeze thoroughly to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop leaves. When water in pot comes back to a boil, cook pasta according to package directions.
• In a food processor, pulse together kale, nuts, garlic, salt and lemon zest until mixture is smooth and salt has dissolved. With motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until fully incorporated. Taste and add more salt dissolved in a little lemon juice, if necessary.
• Drain pasta, reserving a little cooking water. Toss pasta with kale pesto and some pasta cooking water if necessary to help it coat pasta. Add cheese, lemon juice and salt to taste. Serve topped with squash and more cheese.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Place squash skin side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool for 10 minutes. Once squash is cool enough to handle, scrape flesh into string-like strands with a fork. Place in a bowl and set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion begins to turn translucent. Stir in kale and mushrooms; reduce heat to medium low.
• Stir in squash, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from stove and place squash mixture in a large bowl.
• Stir olive oil and pesto into the squash mixture. Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until evenly mixed.

Steps:

• Drain tofu by placing slices between sheets of paper towels on a dinner plate. Cover with a second dinner plate and chill in the refrigerator, 4 hours to overnight, changing paper towels as they become soaked.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Poke holes in the squash flesh with a fork. Add olive oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper to the cavity; place on a baking sheet.
• Bake squash in the preheated oven until until easily pierced with a knife, about 40 minutes. Cool until easily handled, about 20 minutes. Use a fork to scrape insides of squash into spaghetti strands.
• Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Cut the tofu slices into cubes and cook over medium heat until crisp on the outside and firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and artichokes; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add squash strands to the skillet and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
• Combine pesto and cream in a small bowl. Pour over tofu and squash mixture in the skillet; mix well. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the butternut cubes on a baking tray with ½ tbsp of the oil and some seasoning. Roast for 20-25 mins or until tender.
• Put the parsley, basil, cashew nuts, garlic, lemon zest and juice and chilli (if using) in a food processor, along with the remaining oil and a splash of water, then whizz until very smooth. Season to taste.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water, then toss with the pesto and butternut squash and enough water to loosen the sauce. Finish with a little shaved parmesan, if you like.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the orzo and salt generously. Meanwhile, heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add summer squash. Turn heat up to medium high and cook, stirring often, until squash is tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in marjoram or mint and season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off heat.
• When water in pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add orzo. Cook 9 minutes, until al dente. Stir 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cooking water into the pesto, then drain orzo and toss with squash. Heat through, add pesto, toss again and serve, passing more Parmesan or pecorino in a bowl.