Back

Lemony Spring Pasta Salad with Vegetables & Herbs

Side

About this Recipe

Additional ideas for this recipe: 2 Tbsp of capers chopped up, a handful of fresh dill chopped up, 2 stalks of celery finely sliced, or even a small bulb of fennel shaved up nice and thin. This will be great with whatever preferred pasta (regular, gluten-free, chickpea-based), just as long as the shape is small and it is tossed in most of the dressing immediately after draining.

Ingredients

For the Lemony Dressing:

1 Lemon (1 1/2 tsp Finely Grated Lemon Zest & 1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Juice)
1/2 Small Shallot (Chopped)
2 tsp Agave Nectar
Alternative(s):
2 tsp Maple Syrup
3/4 tsp Dijon Mustard
Sea Salt (To Taste)
Black Pepper (To Taste)
1/2 Cup Flavorless Oil (Avocado Oil Is A Good Choice)

For the Pasta Salad:

3/4 Lb Asparagus (Woody Ends Trimmed)
1 Cup Shelled Green Peas (Fresh Or Frozen)
1 Lb Mini Penne Pasta
Alternative(s):
1 Lb Pasta of Choice (Small Sized Noodles)
1 (15 Oz) Can Canned Chickpeas (Drained & Rinsed)
3 Scallions (Finely Sliced)
6-7 Radishes (Finely Sliced Into Half Moons)
1/2 Cup Flat Leaf Parsley (Leaves Chopped)

25m

Prep

20m

Cook

8

Servings

About this Recipe

Additional ideas for this recipe: 2 Tbsp of capers chopped up, a handful of fresh dill chopped up, 2 stalks of celery finely sliced, or even a small bulb of fennel shaved up nice and thin. This will be great with whatever preferred pasta (regular, gluten-free, chickpea-based), just as long as the shape is small and it is tossed in most of the dressing immediately after draining.

Ingredients

For the Lemony Dressing:

1 Lemon (1 1/2 tsp Finely Grated Lemon Zest & 1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Juice)
1/2 Small Shallot (Chopped)
2 tsp Agave Nectar
Alternative(s):
2 tsp Maple Syrup
3/4 tsp Dijon Mustard
Sea Salt (To Taste)
Black Pepper (To Taste)
1/2 Cup Flavorless Oil (Avocado Oil Is A Good Choice)

For the Pasta Salad:

3/4 Lb Asparagus (Woody Ends Trimmed)
1 Cup Shelled Green Peas (Fresh Or Frozen)
1 Lb Mini Penne Pasta
Alternative(s):
1 Lb Pasta of Choice (Small Sized Noodles)
1 (15 Oz) Can Canned Chickpeas (Drained & Rinsed)
3 Scallions (Finely Sliced)
6-7 Radishes (Finely Sliced Into Half Moons)
1/2 Cup Flat Leaf Parsley (Leaves Chopped)

Preparation

Step 1

Make the lemony dressing. In an upright blender, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, shallot, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and oil. Blend the mixture on high until creamy and unified. Set aside.

Step 2

Place a large bowl of ice water on the counter.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Chop the asparagus into 2-inch lengths and add to the boiling water. Boil the asparagus for 2 minutes, or until it’s just starting to become tender. Add the peas to the water and stir for a few seconds, or until they turn bright green. Using a slotted spoon, transfer all of the asparagus and peas to the ice water. Let the vegetables sit and chill down.

Step 4

Bring the salted water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and another good pinch of salt. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and then immediately transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chickpeas to the bowl as well. Quickly toss the pasta and chickpeas with two thirds of the lemony dressing until everything is coated.

Step 5

Drain the asparagus and peas thoroughly and add them to the bowl with the pasta, along with the green onions, radishes, parsley, the remaining lemony dressing, some salt, and pepper. Toss to combine. Check the pasta for seasoning and adjust if necessary (more salt, pepper, lemon juice, extra herbs). Finished spring pasta salad will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.