Breast Cancer Awareness Week continues. Today we are moving on to something healthy. Walnuts. Did you know that walnuts contain the most antioxidants of all nuts. Antioxidants help protect the body for the cellular damage that contributes to breast cancer, other cancers, and heart disease. Walnuts are also the richest in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation. Plus they are a great way to get healthy unsaturated fats, which are usually found in fish.
I thought this pasta was perfect to highlight the walnuts, and get a healthy meal. It is meat free, but still filling from the nuts. You could use any veggies here. Saute them in heart healthy olive oil, and serve over whole grain pasta. A little bit of arugula mixed in would be wonderful. Arugula is a rich source of certain phytochemicals that have been shown to fight cancer-causing elements in the body. Arugula is also a great source of folic acid and Vitamins A, C and K. It is one of the best vegetable sources of Vitamin K, which provides a boost for bone and brain health. So this really could be a powerhouse of a meal.
I made this for lunch one day, and I loved it. I am honestly not a huge fan of walnuts, but sauteed in the olive oil, with the pasta, and the zucchini it was just perfect. A little crunch, and little chewy, salty, savory, and just good! I think even my meat loving husband would be a fan of this one. As soon as I get more walnuts, I will be making it for him.
- 2 oz whole grain pasta
- 1 cup chopped veggies
- 3 Tbls olive oil
- 1 clove garlic , grated
- 1/3 cup walnuts , chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the nuts and begin to lightly toast. After a few minutes add in the veggies and the garlic, saute until veggies are crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Salt and Pepper to tastes. Toss with the cooked and drained pasta.
Erin S
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Rachel Cooks says
October 16, 2012 at 5:57 amGreat cause, great post. This pasta looks delish!
Erin says
October 16, 2012 at 7:51 amThat looks delicious
Kristina says
October 16, 2012 at 8:39 amSuch a great healthy pink post! The toasted walnuts sound great with the savory garlic pasta, yum!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
October 16, 2012 at 9:38 amThis pasta looks so good, Erin! I love the toasted walnuts!
Valerie says
October 16, 2012 at 10:07 amSimple and scrumptious (walnuts add such a wonderful texture to pasta!).
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
October 16, 2012 at 11:37 amOH MY GOD. This is stunning Erin!!
Alida says
October 16, 2012 at 12:29 pmLooks so delicious! Love non-fish alternatives to get those healthy fats.
kita says
October 16, 2012 at 12:37 pmOoh, I love me walnuts but I didn’t know they were that healthy for me. More reason to nibble on them. This pasta sounds wonderful.
Cassie says
October 16, 2012 at 3:10 pmI love this one, Erin! Totally right up my alley!
Suzanne says
October 16, 2012 at 4:04 pmNice recipe for breast cancer awareness week. I have grown to love walnuts in the recipes so I would love this pasta.
Ramona says
October 17, 2012 at 4:23 amNow that’s what I call a healthy and beautiful pasta dish. 🙂 Great recipe for a wonderful cause. 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
October 17, 2012 at 1:13 pmI’m not much fo a walnut fun but this dish is definitely screaming out to me!
Liz says
October 17, 2012 at 4:43 pmI’ll have to make this when hubby is on-call…it looks amazing!!!
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
October 17, 2012 at 7:20 pmWhat a great pasta! I love nuts in a pasta dish. This is both healthy and tasty – what a winning combination.
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
October 17, 2012 at 7:59 pmthis is a pretty plate of pasta! just right for beautiful women all over the world!