Brown Rice Spaghetti in Beet Greens Pesto

A fantastic immune-boosting, detoxing, nutrient-dense dish! Beets are currently in season, and this recipe makes good use of their often-overlooked leaves. Gluten-, soy-, egg-, and dairy-free!

11 ingredients.

1 hour.

Yields: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup Walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups (packed) Chopped beet greens (from 1 bunch beets)
• 3/4 lb Brown rice spaghetti
• 2 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 1/4 cup (packed) Parsley leaves
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 3 tsp Fresh lemon juice
• Pink Himalayan salt
• 3/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
• Organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup Nutritional yeast, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS

• Heat a large skillet over medium and toast walnuts, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Reserve skillet.
• Pulse cooled walnuts, beet greens, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, 2 tsp lemon juice, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper in food processor until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup olive oil until a thick sauce forms. Add 1/2 cup nutritional yeast and pulse until well combined. You should have about 1 1/2 cups pesto.
• Bring the pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain. Reserve pasta cooking liquid in pot and set aside 1 cup liquid for the pasta sauce.
• Heat 2 tsp oil in reserved skillet over medium-high. Add 1 cup pesto and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid; gently simmer, until thickened. Add the pasta and simmer until well combined. If the sauce is too loose, continue to simmer; if it's too thick, add more pasta cooking liquid and stir to combine. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, remaining 1 tsp lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 tsp pepper.
• Divide pasta among 4 beautiful plates, top with nutritional yeast and enjoy. So yummy!

NOTES

• Pesto can be made and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• No beet greens? Use kale, chard, or arugula instead.
• Feeling fancy? Add asparagus to the mix. Trim and with a vegetable peeler, shave lengthwise 1 lb asparagus into ribbons. Bring them in the 4th step: sauté them before adding the pesto and mix all together for extra flavor.