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Spinach & walnut pesto spaghetti

The spinach and walnut pesto used through this pasta is a far more subtle option than a traditional basil and pinenut pesto. And the lemon gives it a citrussy freshness that takes it to another level.

500g spaghetti
2 tsps salt
To serve, extra shredded or shaved parmesan, baby spinach leaves and walnuts

Pesto

200g baby english spinach leaves
50g finely shredded parmesan
80g walnuts
Zest of one lemon (about 1 tsp)
Juice of one lemon (about 3 tblsps)
1 tsp chopped/minced garlic
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 ¼ tsps salt
85ml extra virgin olive oil

For the pesto, place all ingredients (except the olive oil) in a food processor and blitz until the ingredients come together in a finely chopped pesto consistency.

Using a spatula, scrape down the sides as required, then with the food processor motor on low, pour in the olive oil in a thin stream. Set pesto aside.

Cook the spaghetti in boiling water with the salt, according to packet instructions.

Before draining the pasta, scoop out 250ml of its cooking water and retain, then return the pasta to the empty pot.

Add the pesto to the pot, along with half of the retained cooking water. Toss well. If you feel it needs loosening up a little, add more of the saved cooking water until it is just right.

Serve immediately, garnished with the extra parmesan, spinach leaves and walnuts.

We had so many amazing entries to our Book Week costume comp, that we’ve awarded a winner and two runners-up.

Congratulations to Joy for being the major winner of $1,000 for her entry of her granddaughter’s costume. The costume creation was a multigeneration family effort with incredible results, with even the soft toy and brooch handmade.

“My granddaughter Violet loves the character “Hilda”. Violet first got to know the story on Netflix, but she then pursued it and has since devoured whatever she can read about Hilda’s adventures. In one of the photos, Violet’s sister Evelyn is holding one of the Hilda books. As for Violet’s costume, it was the result of the efforts of many family members: I (her grandmother) made her skirt and boots and her soft toy friend Twig – an arctic deer fox; her mother sourced her top, tights, beret, and blue wig; her great-grandmother knitted her scarf; and between them, her father and uncle 3D printed and painted her elf Alfur.”

With so many exceptional entries to our Book Week costume comp, we awarded two runners-up to share the love.

Congratulations to Courtneay for winning a $500 runners-up prize for her son’s cleverly constructed costume.

“My son’s last Book Week costume for primary school was a collection of some of his favourite books throughout the years. The costume was him being a bookworm through the apple and library of his books. This was quite a challenge to make and took us a long time to put together. I am not very good with arts and crafts, so we were both very proud of the final result.”

Congratulations to Claire for winning a $500 runners-up prize for her daughter’s brilliantly executed Book Week costume.

“My 6-year-old daughter has always loved the ibis bird and chases after them at the park yelling ‘bin chicken’ as she runs. I thought she would love the bin chicken book that I bought for her birthday, and she decided she wanted to dress as this for Book Week. I did my best with her costume, and she loved taking part in the parade as her beloved bin chicken.”