Green Bean Pasta Salad

Name: Green Bean Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked spiral pasta; 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham; 4 green onions, thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 1 to 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dill weed; Salt to taste; 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

I like to prepare this special green bean pasta salad with fresh green beans and homegrown dill. Serve chilled or at room temperature. —Chris Snyder, Boulder, Colorado

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked spiral pasta
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 to 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dill weed
Salt to taste
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 8-10 minutes.
Drain pasta and beans; rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar and cayenne. Drizzle over pasta mixture and toss to coat.
Add the ham, onions, parsley, dill and salt; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Stir in walnuts just before serving.

Test Kitchen Tips

Instead of snapping off the ends of each green bean like Grandma did, trim a bunch in seconds. Gather beans in a small pile, lining up the tips on one side. Cut off tips with a single slice using a chef’s knife. Flip the pile over and do the same on the other side.

To keep pasta from sticking together when cooking, use a large pot with plenty of water. Add a little cooking oil if desired (this also prevents boiling over).

Check out 24 pasta salads Grandma used to make.