I find it so fascinating when the weather changes how our taste for what we want to eat does as well. It’s almost a digital switch. We’ve been enjoying balmy spring temps (visited by a day of cold rain and snow here and there) for the past two weeks. Lighter, brighter foods are naturally appearing on our dining table without much conscious thought.
We’ve been loving the fresh seasonal asparagus and this week I experimented with what I’m sure is now my favorite asparagus: Purple Asparagus. The color is irresistible as is the flavor. It’s sweeter and milder than green asparagus (the only way to describe it is that it’s less ‘asparagus-y’). It’s incredibly tender when cooked and my all time benchmark of success: my kids will eat it willingly!
Purple asparagus is beautiful and I’m the first to go for the novel produce liking to keep things interesting visually in the kitchen. After some research I opted to peel the lower section since it has the greater chance of being tough and woody. The purple exterior gave way to a brilliant green core and the visual contrast of the two colors is sublime. I decided on a quick roast which softens the asparagus but not to the point of it being mushy; it merely makes it friendly to eat and brings out the sweetness. Brushed gently with olive oil, lightly salt and peppered it becomes irresistible in flavor. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes as well.
I wanted to create a light spring pasta dish using bright flavors with some interest and veered toward lemon. I received some Moroccan or Pickled Lemons in my Christmas stocking (I often get unusual things I’ve not cooked with before; Santa understands my passion for learning and experimenting with new foods!) and it seemed a perfect time to give them a whirl. Though lemony (my goal) they are also very salty so I used them sparingly merely to deepen the flavor of the oil used for the last quick sauté to combine flavors before tossing into the pasta.
The resulting pasta surpassed my hopes. It was light, fresh, lemony, punctuated by pieces of the sweet roasted asparagus and salty pancetta. It could be eaten warm or chilled for a perfect celebration of spring!
Lemony Purple Asparagus Pancetta Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Purple Asparagus , bottom of stalk trimmed and lower third of stalk peeled
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons (plus a bit to drizzle on the finished pasta) Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 package Spaghetti or Fettuccini (I used Tinkyada’s gluten-free White Rice Spaghetti for the light visual appearance and taste)
- 2 teaspoon Pickled Lemon , finely chopped
- ½ large Shallot (about 3 teaspoons), finely diced
- 1 ½ ounce thinly sliced Pancetta , cut into ¼ inch strips
- 6 tablespoons Pine Nuts
- Fresh juice of 1/3 large lemon
- Garnish: Sprigs of Lemon Thyme
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set a pot of water for the pasta to boil on the stove top (cook the pasta as soon as the water is ready; drain, rinse if called for and place in a serving bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and tossed to prohibit the pasta from sticking together).
- Brush the prepared asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place on the prepared baking sheet and lightly salt and pepper. Place in the heated oven for 10- 15 minutes; check for doneness (should be lightly roasted, tender to bite but not overly soft). Remove and set aside to cool.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add pine nuts. Stir constantly until they begin to release oil and brown (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cut asparagus into 1 inch slices, sliced on the diagonal, and set aside.
- In the large skillet add 2 teaspoons olive oil, heat over medium-high heat. Add diced pickled lemon and shallot. Sauté, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
- Add the pancetta strips; stir mixture constantly for 1 ½ minutes as pancetta begins to shrink and brown.
- Add the asparagus, and fresh lemon juice. Gently toss/stir until mixture is combined and lemon juice is absorbed (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add skillet mixture to freshly prepared pasta; toss gently to combine. Plate and garnish with roasted pine nuts and lemon thyme sprigs!
Nutrition
Viviane Bauquet Farre- Food and Style says
Toni, this is a perfect dish- so balanced!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Viviane! Always such a high compliment coming from you. Hope you are having a lovely early spring!
Happy Valley Chow says
Oh wow does this look and sound fantastic, thanks for sharing!
Happy Blogging!
Laura Dembowski says
I have heard of purple asparagus, but I’ve never seen it in the store. I would love to give it a try.
Toni Dash says
Keep your eye out Laura. I think it’s a relatively new variety. If you are near a Whole Foods I’d call them and see if they carry it!
Dina says
very nice pasta dish for spring!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Dina! That was my goal and the lemony flavors really made it feel light but flavorful; perfect with the asparagus. I will say we are expecting up to 16 inches of snow tomorrow so I’ll be staring at the photo in disbelief that it really IS spring I think!
lindsay | rosemarried says
I love all your asparagus variations and colors! I’ve had white asparagus before, but NEVER purple! I love it. I love spring and all the produce (and promise) that it brings. This recipe is simple and delightful. Thanks, Toni!
Toni Dash says
Lindsay I’m always on the search for a new ‘novel vegetable’ and was so glad to try this! It really is my favorite now and got the impression it is more available than white asparagus which typically has a very short availability. If you see it in your area snatch some up; you’ll be happy you did! xo
Dulcie says
Delicious and beautiful!
Toni Dash says
Thanks Dulcie! It’s really a great spring dish and quick to prepare.
Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen says
Omg! I’m cooking a similar dish tonight to post this week! Hilarious! Only I’m adding Morels & pecorino and a few other things! Spring is definitely in the air! I love your use of Moroccan lemons. I’ve never tasted one before. I’ve heard they’re wonderful! I’ll link to this when mine goes up!
Toni Dash says
Great {seasonal} minds think alike! Please do send your link (but I also subscribe to you so would see it there)!
Sue Troller says
Yum! Can’t wait to make this!
Toni Dash says
You won’t be sorry!