Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto and Thyme
by meike peters
Walnuts have a similar shopping effect on me like pumpkins, I have to buy them every week! I always keep a little bowl in my kitchen and sometimes a second one in the living room filled with nuts and a nutcracker right at hand. I’m not really the kind of person who decorates the flat according to the seasons but I love to have this kind of food around me as it brings a piece of autumn right into our home. There’s something about walnuts, the way they look, the smell and the ritual of opening them that puts me in a cosy mood!
We eat most of the walnuts straight out of their shells as I don’t need them for many of my recipes. I don’t really use them in my baking either as I’m not too fond of walnuts in cakes or cookies, it’s just not my thing. Sometimes I like to sprinkle them over salads, sandwiches or soups for that earthy flavour, but there is one recipe I can’t have enough of: Walnuts crushed into a pesto! I mix them with thyme, garlic and good olive oil and let them spread their aroma in warm spaghetti with some parmesan on top! It’s so simple and it tastes fantastic!
A while ago, I made this pesto with parsley for my pumpkin gnocchi, a recipe that features both of my favourite autumn beauties, pumpkin and walnuts! It’s a bit more time consuming but it’s absolutely worth it!
Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto and Thyme
For 2 people you need
spaghetti 200g / 7 ounces
walnut kernels 70g / 2.5 ounces
fresh thyme leaves about 1 tablespoon, to taste
olive oil 60ml / 2 ounces, plus more to taste
garlic, crushed, 1 clove
salt and pepper
fresh parmesan, grated or thinly sliced, for the topping
Cook the pasta in lots of salted water al dente.
Purée the walnuts, thyme, garlic and olive oil in a blender and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more olive oil if you prefer the pesto more liquid. Season with thyme to taste and mix with the warm pasta on the plates (preferably warmed up in the oven). Sprinkle with parmesan.
Meike, you always come up with unusual combinations that sound so delicious! I can’t wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Marigene, you’re so sweet! It’s a really delicious autumn combination! Have a wonderful weekend, Meike xx
I’ve never thought of using walnuts in pesto but it sounds wonderful!
Thank you Kathryn!
I’m fond of pasta and your recipes with spaghetti are always original and full of flavors.
I’ll test this one this week-end. It’s a good idea for diner after a long walk in the forest in autumn.
Of course, I’ll use the Maltese olive oil I bring after my holidays in this island in September.
Hello Catherine! How was your holiday in Malta? I hope you had a great time! I would love to visit my rock in the Mediterranean again but for now it’s Berlin 🙂 Today in the afternoon my mother in law will arrive here to visit us for a week and she always takes some nice Maltese food with her, some of my favourites, I can’t wait! Where did you get the oil from? I’m sure it’ll be great in this pesto! Meike xx
We found our oil in Bugibba. Unfortunately, we didn’t buy as much as we wanted. Our suitcases were to small ! When the bottles will be empty… we’ll be obliged to go to Malta again ;-). I hope it’ll be in spring. I can’t wait.
Meanwhile, we are traveling in the kitchen by making few recipes inspired by the Maltese flavors. I’ve found some very tasty on our blog (thank you !). And a few days ago, I prepared a salad that remembered us our stay in Sliema. If you want, you can see it here : http://lin-et-lavande.blogspot.fr/2014/10/des-saveurs-maltaises.html
I’m sure that in few days, we’ll see on your blog new recipes with your mother in law food. Yum !
Your salad looks delicious Catherine! I wish my French was better 🙂 I love your kitchen traveling idea, it’s the best place to bring holiday memories back to live.
This looks so delicious. I love walnuts and will definitely give this recipe a try.
Thank you! This recipe is such an easy and delicious autumn treat, enjoy! Meike xx
Great idea! I was looking for something simple & savoury w/ walnuts.
That’s perfect timing 🙂 Enjoy! Meike xx