½ cup raw, shelled pumpkin seeds
2 cloves garlic, peel intact
2 cups packed chopped kale leaves
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1½ ounces (¾ cup) Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
½-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
⅓-½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound whole wheat pasta, such as linguine
Since this pesto makes enough for a pound of pasta, we typically make the entire batch of pesto but only cook half a pound of pasta. The remaining pesto keeps wonderfully in the refrigerator or freezer and becomes an easy way to cook dinner on a hurried night. We’ve also made it with sunflower seeds, which is what the original recipe called for. Both ways are delicious!
Toast the pumpkin seeds in a medium skillet set over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl and set aside. Return the pan to heat and add the garlic cloves. Toast until lightly browned, turning as needed. Remove from heat and peel when cool.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the kale, basil, pumpkin seeds, garlic, Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Pulse until finely ground, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the olive oil in a slow stream with the food processor running and continue until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ¾ cup of the pasta water.
Return the pasta to the pot. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to the pesto, then toss the pesto with the pasta. Add the remaining water as needed.