Zucchini Pesto with Shrimp and Farfalle

Name: Zucchini Pesto with Shrimp and Farfalle
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked multigrain bow tie pasta; 1 pound zucchini, sliced; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves; 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, divided; 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted; 4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved; 1 large sweet onion, chopped; 1 pound peeled and deveined cooked medium shrimp; 1/2 cup reduced-fat evaporated milk; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Wonderful zucchini-basil pesto takes advantage of summer’s best produce and adds fantastic flavor to this simple pasta toss. You’ll feel like you’re dining in a fine restaurant, but the seasonal ingredients make it easy on your pocketbook. —Amber Massey, Fort Worth, Texas

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked multigrain bow tie pasta
1 pound zucchini, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, divided
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 pound peeled and deveined cooked medium shrimp
1/2 cup reduced-fat evaporated milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute zucchini in 1 tablespoon oil until tender. Remove from the pan and cool slightly.
Drain pasta, reserving 1/3 cup cooking liquid. In a food processor, combine the basil, 1/4 cup cheese, pine nuts, garlic, reserved cooking liquid and 2/3 cup cooked zucchini. Cover and process until pureed.
In the same Dutch oven, cook onion in remaining oil until tender. Stir in the shrimp, pasta and remaining zucchini. Add the pureed mixture, milk, lemon juice, salt, lemon zest and pepper; toss to coat. Heat through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 368 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 827mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.

Originally published as Golden Zucchini Pesto with Shrimp and Farfalle in Simple & Delicious August/September 2012