Courgette Pasta with Almond Pesto & Rocket Recipe

Ingredients

2 courgettes – select the straightest ones you can find
1 lemon, juice and zest
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large handful of almonds
2 large handfuls of fresh basil
A pinch of red or yellow chilli, finely chopped (more or less, to taste)
A good few glugs of olive oil
2 large handfuls of fresh rocket

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Method

1. Trim the woody tops off the courgettes. Using a large, sharp knife, cut the courgette lengthwise into long, thin panels. Cut each panel into thin pasta-like ribbons.

2. Toss in a bowl with a pinch of salt, the zest from the lemon and a good squeeze of juice.

3. Place the almonds, basil, chilli and a good pinch of salt in a food processor (or you can pound in a pestle and mortar). Pulse or pound until it starts to come together. Add a good squeeze of lemon juice and then trickle in enough oil until to bring everything together nicely. Taste. Adjust seasoning or balance of basil, nuts, lemon and oil.

4. Dollop a good spoonful or two of the pesto in with your courgettes. Gently mix it with your hands, until the courgettes have a nice pesto coating. Toss the rocket leaves in. Gently mix through. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, a few fresh basil leaves and some chopped almonds. Eat straight away or tote along to a picnic.