"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."
- William Shakespeare
~ Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)
forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)
shadblow (Amelanchier canadensis)
FAST & FRESH 'SPRING' PASTA
~ Easy supper with a bursting taste of spring
_______
12 oz. good linguine
4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced leeks (some tender green included)
2 cups Organic Baby Spring Mix salad greens
Parsley pesto:
2 cups packed Italian parsley
4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (3/4 tsp. dried)
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (3/4 dried)
1 clove garlic
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
coarse salt & freshly ground pepper
Additional toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese
- Combine parsley, olive oil, toasted pine nuts, thyme, rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese in food processor and blend on/off until coarse puree. Season with coarse salt & freshly cracked pepper. (Can be made earlier but cover top with oil to prevent turning dark).
- Heat olive oil in large skillet and saute leeks until beginning to brown. Season with salt & pepper.
- Cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm, stirring occasionally. Drain well and return to same pot, reserving a bit of cooking water.
- Toss pasta with enough parsley pesto to coat evenly, adding a bit of additional water to thin if necessary. Add sauteed leeks and Spring greens. Toss and serve topped with additional toasted pine nuts and grated or shaved Parmesan cheese. (2 generous servings)
Sounds divine!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I must admit I've never heard of shadblow before, but it certainly is another lovely blossom. I am catching up on posts, so I just read your Saturday post on the magnolia. I could look at these photos all day. We had a magnolia tree at our old house, and I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of shadblow before either~but I agree with Rose, it's beautiful! I love the Shakespeare quote, and your pics are amazing as always! Another beautiful collage~love the window shot~gorgeous windows framed by beautiful blossoms! And the pasta~awww..sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention in my comment in earlier post~I really love the quote by colette~I hope you don't mind if I use it in a future post!
Have a wonderful week (bloggin sis)
Hug's
Cat
Hi Joey,
ReplyDeleteThe Yoshino Cherry blooms are so pretty. I like your photo montages - Shadblows are known here as Saskatoon Berry bushes. I love when they are blossoming - we are still some weeks away from that happening.
Forsythias certainly signal spring- I love their bright flowers.
Your spring pasta recipe sounds yummy. I am going to try it - I like the thought of parsley pesto.
Methinks I should avoid reading your blog when I'm hungry, like now.
The shadblows are wonderful graceful trees. Too bad the flowers last such a short time. It seemed ours were gone in a blink of the eye. Your Yoshino cherries are huge and lovely. I'll leave forsythias for someone else's yard and vicariously enjoy them. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda. Who doesn't love a little pasta now and then, especially after a hard day in the garden!
ReplyDeleteRose & Cat ... Shadblow, Serviceberry, Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is a native tree (large shrub) often an understory plant in the woodlands blooming with trillium, an awesome site. Because of the hearty nature and 4-season appeal, they are very popular in Michigan. I love the lush berries in June ~ if you can get them before the birds :)
Hi Kate. I would imagine shadblows are native to your area also. I delight each spring seeing a bed of trillium and shadblows blooming in the woodlands and forest. I have 2 in my own yard and love the edible berries, especially delicious in muffins, yogurt or cereal.
Indeed shadblow have short-lived blossoms, Ki, but as you know the tree makes up for it by being busy the rest of the season, producing lush berries in June then lovely fall color. I think a must in most gardens ... My 16 year old Yoshino is delightful especially since it replaced an old apple tree that I adored.