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Pasta with courgette pesto

This pasta with courgette pesto can be vegan or vegetarian, depending on what kind of cheese you use. I made it with vegan cheddar and used gluten-free penne.  
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 1234

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium courgette zucchini
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 handful basil leaves
  • 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast or grated vegan cheese or Parmesan
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 1 pinch chilli flakes optional
  • Salt& pepper
  • 200 g pasta of your choice

Method
 

  1. Cook the paste according to the packet instructions, drain and keep warm in the pan, under a lid.
  2. Lightly toast the pine nuts and set aside.
  3. Thinly slice the courgette and the garlic.
  4. Heat a griddle pan or frying pan over medium-high heat, and brush it with a little oil.
  5. Once hot, add the courgette slices and fry them for 3-5 minutes on both sides until lightly charred.
  6. Put them on a plate, then fry the garlic for 30 seconds until light brown - don’t let them burn!
  7. Put the courgette, garlic and pine nuts in a blender and pulse until you get a textured paste.
  8. Add the cheese/nutritional yeast, basil leaves and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Blend the pesto to your desired consistency.
  10. Mix the pesto with the pasta and serve with basil or mint leaves.