Broccoli & asparagus spring pasta

Step 1

Blend basil leaves, walnuts and garlic in a food processor until finely minced. Add the courgette chunks, Parmesan cheese and baby spinach leaves. Pulse until coarsely minced. Drizzle in the oil and combine well. Using pulse, process until mixture is finely chopped. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to a bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface of pesto to reduce browning and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 2

Trim the asparagus spears by snapping off the woody ends or trimming with a sharp knife. Cut the broccoli into florets. Heat a steamer with boiling water and steam the broccoli florets and asparagus spears until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Alternatively blanch in boiling water or cook covered in the microwave for 3 minutes on HIGH. Refresh in cold water to keep them bright green. Cut some of the asparagus stems into small slices, leaving the tips whole.

Step 3

Cook pasta according to packet instructions:

• Bring a deep pan of water to the boil and add salt.
• Cook pasta for 10-12 minutes.
• Drain and refresh in warm water.

Step 4

Mix through half of the courgette pesto and toss through to coat the pasta.

Step 5

To assemble the serving bowls, divide the pasta between serving bowls, top with plenty of warmed broccoli florets and asparagus pieces topped with extra courgette pesto.

Sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan cheese and plenty of fresh basil leaves.

BROCCOLI

Delicious and nutrient dense. We grow and handpick ours at optimum maturity to lock in all the good stuff.

• wb_sunny Available All Year Round
• grass Gisborne, Pukekohe & Chertsey
• check Source of Dietary fibre
• check Good Source of Vitamin C
• check Source of Vitamin B6, Folate, Potassium

ASPARAGUS

A springtime favourite and super versatile too, asparagus is considered a culinary delight for New Zealanders up and down the country.

• wb_sunny Sept – Dec
• grass Chertsey
• check Good source of Folate
• check Source of Niacin (Vitamin B3) & Potassium
• check Source of Vitamin C, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) & Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

BABY SPINACH

Creamy, smooth, and very nutritious! Toss through another salad, add a handful to a smoothie or cook with many other dishes.

• wb_sunny Available All Year Round
• grass Gisborne
• auto_awesome Washed & Ready To Eat
• check Good source of Folate
• check Source of Vitamin A

COURGETTES

Tender and delicately flavoured. One of natures most versatile fruits add it to your next pasta, salad and BBQ.

• wb_sunny Jan – Apr
• grass Chertsey
• check Source of Vitamin C
• check Source of Potassium

• 1 head LeaderBrand Broccoli
• 250g LeaderBrand Asparagus
• 500g dried pasta tagliatelle

Courgette pesto

• 1 cup LeaderBrand Baby Spinach
• 3 small LeaderBrand Courgettes, cut into chunks
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

To serve

• Freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Basil leaves