Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto and Thyme

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

  • 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.

Previous
Previous

meet in your kitchen | Stefanie's Königsberger Klopse - Prussian Meatballs with Capers

Next
Next

A Sandwich with cinnamony Celery Root Mousse, Caramelized Bacon and Rosemary