Broccoli Rabe Pesto Pasta

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Step 2

   Add the broccoli rabe and garlic cloves to the boiling water, cooking until the broccoli rabe is a vibrant green color, 60 to 90 seconds. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the broccoli rabe and garlic from the water, place into a bowl, then rinse with cold water and strain. Set aside. Leave the water in the pot and turn off heat.

3. Step 3

   Add 1 cup of the broccoli rabe and all of the garlic to a food processor and blend until broken down into very small pieces, scraping down the sides as needed, about 1 minute. Add the walnuts, ¾ cup of the Parmesan, half of the lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper and blend into a thick paste. With the food processor on low, slowly add the olive oil, blending until the mixture becomes silky and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then set aside.

4. Step 4

   Bring the pot of water back to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before straining the pasta. With the pot off the heat, add pasta, pesto, remaining broccoli rabe, remaining lemon juice and ¼ cup Parmesan, along with a splash of pasta water. Stir, adding more pasta water as needed, until a silky sauce coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with more grated Parmesan on the side.