Pasta With Walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 lb linguine (or spaghetti or other long pasta)
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup walnut halves (or pecan halves)
• 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh parsley (or basil leaves)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Meanwhile, combine the nuts, parsley and garlic in a small food processor (or use a mortar and pestle) and turn the machine on. With the machine running, add the oil gradually, using just enough so that the mixture forms a creamy paste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until it is tender but not mushy. When it is ready, drain it--reserve some of the cooking water--and toss with the sauce; if the mixture appears too thick, thin with a little of the pasta-cooking water or more olive oil.

3. 3

   Serve!