Pasta with Sweet Peas, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic

This is a light and beautiful dish—sugar snap peas are bright with fresh spring flavor and they pair well with the umami of sun-dried tomatoes and sweetness of roasted garlic. I like to make plant-based filled cappelletti for this recipe, but to simplify it for home, plant-based ravioli can be found at most well-stocked grocery stores. Otherwise, dried pasta of your choice is a fine substitute

By | March 14, 2023

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds fresh sugar snap peas in their shells (or ½ cup frozen peas)
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
  • 2 tablespoons oil from jar of sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter
  • 1 pound fresh plant-based ravioli or dried pasta of your choice
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegan parmesan cheese, grated for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut off the top ½ inch from the head of garlic, brush all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and bake. After 20 minutes, check for doneness and continue to check every 5 minutes until garlic is golden and caramelized. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cool, squeeze the garlic cloves from husks and set aside.

String the peas and shell all but the smallest 8 to 10 pods, leaving those intact with their peas inside. Slice the sun-dried tomatoes in thin strips lengthwise and set aside, reserving the oil.

Heat 4 quarts water in a large pot until close to boiling. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and bring water to a full boil. Blanch the peas for 1 minute and remove with a slotted spoon to an ice bath. Return water to a boil and add pasta. Cook pasta according to maker’s directions.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a nonstick pan. Add 4 to 5 cloves roasted garlic and mash with a fork. Add sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil and butter. Stir in the blanched peas and lower heat.

When the pasta is halfway through cooking, ladle ¼ cup pasta water into the saucepan. When the pasta is done, reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain the pasta. Add pasta to the pan and stir. If needed, add just enough pasta water to keep the sauce loose and glistening. Check for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. Divide pasta among 4 warm pasta bowls and sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese.

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Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds fresh sugar snap peas in their shells (or ½ cup frozen peas)
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
  • 2 tablespoons oil from jar of sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter
  • 1 pound fresh plant-based ravioli or dried pasta of your choice
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegan parmesan cheese, grated for serving
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