"Luscious Lemon Basil Pasta Salad: A Refreshing Twist on a Summertime Favorite!"

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🍋 Lemon Basil Pasta Salad because not all pasta salad needs mayo. Maybe instead, it needs some extra greens. 😌 And we can still make it tasty when adding them in. So focus on flavorful herbs that are potent in antioxidants. Blend them into sauces that can be added to more tender dark leafy greens like spinach or baby kale to make them more enjoyable. The benefit? Lower risk for chronic diseases like high blood pressure and a boost for brain health and digestion too. 🫶🏽

1 large zucchini, cut into 3/4 inch half moons
8 oz of orecchiette pasta
2-3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
1, 6.5 oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts, diced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1 medium lemon, fully zested and cut in half
1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, stems removed
1-2 cloves of garlic, grated (to taste)
3 tbsp pepitas or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup plain unsweetened plant based yogurt
1 tsp yellow miso paste
Kosher salt to taste

NOTE: Abbreviated instructions below, please refer to blog post in bio for full details and ingredient swaps.

Place your zucchini on a clean towel and sprinkle with salt. Allow the zucchini to sit for 5-10 mins then pat dry. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water then add to a mixing bowl with the spinach and artichoke hearts.

Place a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp of oil. Once hot, add the onions with a pinch of salt and sauté until softened then transfer to the bowl.

Add the lemon halves and zucchini to opposite sides of the hot skillet cut side down. Cook the zucchini undisturbed until it begins to caramelize, then flip and repeat. Cook the lemon undisturbed until the bottoms have caramelized. Remove from heat and add the zucchini to the mixing bowl.

To a blender cup, add the basil, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, pepitas, yogurt, miso paste, the remaining oil, juice of the cooked lemon and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Pour half the dressing over the pasta and mix to combine. Add more dressing as desired.