Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta Flavorfully Zesty
Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta
Have you ever wanted a pesto pasta dish but didn’t want to go to an expensive restaurant to have one? Well, the Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta is the homemade and healthy version without the hefty price tag. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and protein to keep you full for a while. The beautiful layers of flavors in the Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta make this an ideal recipe for dinners at home, serving to others at a more formal gathering, or as a pasta dish for the next potluck. It’s totally safe for those with gluten sensitivity and lactose-intolerant, and also pairs well with meats. Best of all, the Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta can be made raw with no cooking, and with veggie or kelp noodles, depending on your palate. It is super easy to make with the Blendtec or Vitamix blender, and using these high-powered blenders you can rest assured that you will come away with a richly flavored, creamy (no lumps) pesto sauce. Check out our add-ins for added nutrition.
Health Benefits
Avocados help prevent premature wrinkling of the skin, keeping it supple and youthful. They also help lubricate the digestive tract and have been shown to have a favorable impact on cholesterol. Avocados contain glutamine, which aids in preventing environmental damage to your skin. Although high in healthy fat, they are a good source of pantothenic acid, fiber, vitamins B6, C, E and K, copper, folate and potassium. Pine nuts are rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, which lowers bad and raises good cholesterols, thus preventing coronary artery disease and strokes. They also contain the essential fatty acid, pinolenic acid, which has been shown to potentially curb appetite. In addition, they help the body develop a resistance to infection, fight free radicals and maintain integrity of cell membranes within the body. Pine nuts are rich in vitamin E, the B-complex group and manganese. Garlic helps prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia, protects against cell damage and aging, has been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity, aids in digestion and elimination of wastes from the body, purifies the bloodstream and remedies stomach inflammation. It is one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and selenium. Basil contains powerful antioxidants, and has properties that reduce swelling and inflammation. It also helps prevent aging. Basil is rich in vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Limes help protect eyes from aging and infection, aid in healthy digestion and regulate sugar absorption in the body. An excellent vitamin C source, limes also help alleviate many health issues, including healing oral ulcers, relieving constipation and nausea, curing scurvy, eradicating the root cause of piles and preventing gout. Spinach can help protect the lining of the digestive tract from damage and helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer, among a long list of other things. It is loaded with vitamins A and K, manganese, foliate, iron, copper, and an excellent source of the B-complex group, calcium, vitamins C and E, potassium, phosphorous and zinc.
Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta
The Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta is a wonderful dish or side to make if you’re craving the restaurant versions, but don’t want the unhealthy oils, salt and cross-contamination with dairy that often occurs in restaurants. It’s also a healthy alternative to those with gluten sensitivity or lactose intolerance. Or if you’re trying to cut down on fried foods, fast foods or packaged items. The Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta is high in healthy fats, so it should be consumed in moderation. It’s incredibly easy to whip up, especially using the Vitamix or Blendtec because they will puree the sauce into a creamy consistency. Spiralized noodles or kelp are amazing and no one will ever notice that they are healthy! The Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta is wonderful if you’re looking to impress at a gathering or dinner. Check out our blender add ons for extra nutritional benefits. We recommend using a Vitamix or Blendtec blender for this recipe.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta
- 2 small avocados
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 Tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup basil, loosely packed
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- High-quality sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cups kelp noodles or veggie noodles or your choice (this is a good time to whip out that spiralizer!)
- 1 cup spinach
Step 2: Lightly steam your spinach and place it on top of the noodles.
Step 3: Put all other ingredients into the food processor and run until it’s creamy.
Step 4: Pour over the top of the noodles and spinach, mix well, and serve!
The best part about the Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta is that you can switch up the noodles to whatever you’re feeling like at the time. If you want more of a thin noodle, go with the kelp. If you want a thicker noodle, go with the veggie. If you want more of a traditional noodle, stick with the soba. Kids will think it’s cool that you “curled” the veggies and will really enjoy eating the Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta. It’s beautiful in a dish with a few basil springs and a curled lime slice on the side, or put on a plate with a sprig of basil on top alongside the other servings. The Kimberley Snyder Avocado Pesto and Veggie Pasta pairs well with meats, soups and salads.
- Recipe by: Kimberley Snyder
- Recipe Type: Main Dish
Special Equipment:
Blendtec blender, Vitamix Blender, Knife, Cutting board, Large pot (optional), Collander (optional), Spiralizer (optional), Large mixing bowl, Measuring cups, Measuring spoons
Ingredient Health Benefits
The avocado is a tree classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. The fruit of the tree is very high in monounsaturated fat. Though mostly comprised of fat, avocados are also an excellent source of dietary fiber. Avocados are also high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, and Magnesium. Research studies suggest a diet that is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids helps lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increases HDL or good cholesterol.
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Garlic is a powerful anti-fungal agent and has been used traditionally to ward off sickness and infection. Studies show that garlic reduces cholesterol production, reduces blood pressure, and is preventive against stomach cancer.
The olive is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae. Olives are naturally high in monounsaturated fat, which experts say should make up 50% of our daily fat content.
Lime is a term referring to a citrus fruit which is typically round, green and contains sour pulp. The juice, pulp, and skin of the fruit are all used in cooking around the world. Though limes have an acidic, tart taste – they are one of the strongest alkaline-forming foods. Lime juice is a great way to help balance pH. Limes are very high in Vitamin C and have a strong antioxidant and antibiotic effect.
Basil, Thai basil, or sweet basil, is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is a very good source of Vitamin K. It is also high in manganese and copper, and has ample amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, folate, and iron. Basil is DNA-protective, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and good for cardiovascular health.
Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pines. About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of notable value as a human food. Pine nuts are calorically dense and very high in monounsaturated fat, or “good fat”. Pine nuts are a good source of vitamin E and B vitamins as well as manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Pine nuts contain an essential fatty acid pinolenic acid which research has shown curbs appetite. Pine nuts are good for cardiovascular health and the nervous system.
Black pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Black pepper is high in manganese, copper, and Vitamin K, and is mostly comprised of fiber. Black pepper has been used traditionally to improve intestinal health and digestion, however some modern nutrition experts consider black pepper an irritant to the digestive system.
Kelp noodles are pasta-like noodles made from kelp. Kelps are large seaweeds belonging to the brown algae in the order Laminariales. Kelp is rich in protein, iron, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. It contains Vitamins C, E, A, and the rest of the B-complex as well. It also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, iodine, manganese, copper, chromium, zinc, and is a natural source of fluoride. Kelp is an excellent way to get minerals and a salty taste without adding salt.
Veggie noodles are noodle shapes strips of vegetables, made with a mandolin or other thin cutting tool. They can take the place of pasta in many dishes and hold sauces well. Veggie noodles are a great choice for people trying to avoid gluten or grains. They are also a wonderful way to get more vegetables and fiber into the diet. Veggie noodles are high in fiber, and depending on what they are made from they are also high in vitamins and minerals. Zucchini and other squash are used most often to make veggie noodles – but we encourage you to experiment with making noodles from veggies of all kinds!
Spinach: it’s not just for Popeye! Spinach is an edible flowering plant in the family of Amaranthaceae. It contains high amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and – like all dark, leafy greens – is very cleansing to the liver.
