Pesto Pasta Salad: The Perfect Dish to Ring in Spring

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup fresh cooked green peas (or frozen)
• 3/4 cup fresh basil
• 3/4 cup spinach
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1 small clove garlic
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper (to taste )
• 8 oz short-cut whole-grain pasta (like penne or fusilli)
• 1 cup sugar peas (trimmed)
• 1 cup colourful baby tomatoes (halved )
• 1 can no-salt-added chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives (pitted)
• 2 tbsp pine nuts (toasted )
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds (toasted )