Author Notes
This pesto shuffles around the standard template. Instead of basil, there is shiny, sultry Tuscan (or lacinato or dinosaur) kale. And instead of pine nuts, there are salty, roasted cashews. The result is a bright green, wintry answer to a summery staple. The fusilli's curlicues catch all the sauce—but feel free to use any loopy pasta that you have in the pantry. And don't drain that pasta water! Instead, use a slotted spoon to remove the noodles. The pesto wants (needs!) that water to become a creamy, emulsified sauce. —Emma Laperruque
Test Kitchen Notes
Featured In: Food52 Winter Games Kick Off with Triple-Loop Noodles —The Editors
Ingredients
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Kosher salt
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3 1/2 ounces
chopped Tuscan kale
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1/2 cup
roasted cashews (salted or unsalted)
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1
garlic clove, smashed and peeled
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1/3 cup
finely grated or ground Parmesan, plus more, for garnish
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1/2
lemon, juiced
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1/4 cup
extra-virgin olive oil
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1 pound
fusilli
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Red pepper flakes
Directions
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Set a big pot of water over high heat. Add a few spoonfuls of kosher salt.
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Meanwhile, make the pesto. Combine the kale, cashews, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and well combined. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. Transfer to a big, heatproof bowl—this is what you’ll serve in.
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When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta. Cook for about 8 minutes until al dente. Before you drain, fill a mug or glass with the salty pasta water. Drain the pasta. Add to the bowl with the pesto. Toss. Progressively add as much pasta water as needed to create a creamy, smooth sauce—it will continue to stiffen as it cools, so don’t be shy here. (I used about ⅔ cup.) Season again to taste.
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Serve with more red pepper flakes and Parmesan on top.
Emma was the food editor at Food52. She created the award-winning column, Big Little Recipes, and turned it into a cookbook in 2021. These days, she's a senior editor at Bon Appétit, leading digital cooking coverage. Say hello on Instagram at @emmalaperruque.
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