Minestrone Salad

Epicurious  | July 2013 by Susan Spungen What's a Hostess to Do? ]]> photo by Susan Spungen yield Serves 8 This pasta salad is a clever take on a well-loved soup. Because it's served at room temperature, it makes a great side dish at a picnic or barbecue. It's colorful and extremely flavorful, with pesto, beans, and vegetables. Ingredients add to shopping list Preparation 1. Place 12 ounces fingerling or baby red potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. Spread them out on a baking sheet to cool, then slice the potatoes into 1/2-inch coins. 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon salt. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Add 8 ounces green beans, cut in half, and 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces so they're about the size of the pasta you're using, and blanch the vegetables just until they're bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Scoop the vegetables out of the hot water with a spider or a strainer, rinse them with cold water, and submerge them in the ice water until completely cool, then drain, pat dry, and set aside. 3. Add 1 pound gemelli or tubetti (or any short pasta you choose) to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and put it in a large bowl to cool a bit. 4. Toss in the potatoes, asparagus, green beans, 1/2 cup pesto, one 15 1/2-ounce can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed), one 6-ounce jar roasted peppers, sliced into strips, and salt and pepper to taste. If preparing ahead of time, combine all of the ingredients 1 to 2 hours before serving. Reprinted with permission from What's a Hostess to Do?: 313 Ideas and Inspirations for Effortless Entertaining by Susan Spungen. Copyright © 2013 by Susan Spungen. Published by Artisan, a division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc. my notes Reviews write your own review Can you believe no one has reviewed this recipe yet? Insightful and well-informed reviews by our members are part of what makes Epicurious the best food site on the planet. Sign in to be the first to review this recipe, and make your opinion heard. recipe at a glance type: Pasta/Noodle Dish, Salad main ingredients: Root Vegetable, Vegetable, Pasta, Bell Pepper, Potato, Green Bean, Asparagus, Legume, Bean dietary considerations: Vegetarian holiday/celebration: Summer via Epicurious.com: New Recipes http://feeds.epicurious.com/~r/newrecipes/~3/tRB5vO7Baps/51180400

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