Rice Pasta with Creamy Zucchini Pesto

Pasta dishes are great for picnics, and this recipe makes use of zucchini or summer squash— both readily available in the summer season.

Ingredients

Makes 6 1-cup servings

8 ounces dry rice pasta
2 small zucchinis or other summer squash
2 cups fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
1 tablespoon tahini

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse and drain.

Meanwhile, cut zucchinis into 1-inch chunks. Steam chunks over boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until just tender when pierced with a sharp knife.

Place basil in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and finely chop. Add zucchini, salt, garlic, and tahini. Process in short pulses until everything is finely chopped. Combine with pasta and toss to mix.

Per serving (1 cup): 166 calories; 1.7 g fat; 0.2 g saturated fat; 9.3% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 2.2 g protein; 34.8 g carbohydrates; 0.8 g sugar; 2.6 g fiber; 226 mg sodium; 42 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 4.1 mg vitamin C; 606 mcg beta-carotene; 0.1 mg vitamin E

Recipe from Foods That Fight Pain by Neal Barnard, M.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

1 comment… add one
  • I love just about anything with zucchini and garlic. Will definitely give this a try. I’m always looking for new recipes.

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