Angela's Italian Recipe for Penne with Artichokes and Parsley Pesto

Penne with Artichokes and Parsley Pesto
(Penne con Carciofi e Pesto di Prezzemolo)


Ingredients:

1/2 lemon 2 artichokes 2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 garlic clove, smashed 3 and 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 lb dried Penne pasta

Directions:

Halve lemon and squeeze juice from 1 half into a bowl of water. Cut off stem of 1 artichoke and discard. Bend back outer leaves of artichoke until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base. Cut across artichoke 1 and 1/2 inches above stem end and scrape out choke with a spoon. Trim dark-green fibrous parts from base and sides of artichoke bottom and trim any remaining leaves. Put artichoke bottom in bowl of lemon water and trim remaining artichoke in same manner. Puree parsley, nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Transfer pesto to a large bowl. Boil artichokes and pasta in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water and drain artichokes and pasta in a colander. Quarter artichokes and thinly slice. Add pasta, artichokes, and 2 tablespoons reserved cooking water to pesto, tossing to coat and adding more cooking water to thin if necessary, and season with salt and pepper. Serves 2.

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