Vegan Olive Pesto Pasta

The thought of losing someone close is not just scary – it’s terrifying. I know it’s not just me – the fear of losing a loved one is such a common fear. In some ways, it helps remind us that we are human, we are fragile, and all we really have is each other. You know you really love someone when even the thought of losing them or being apart from them brings tears in your eyes or gives you shivers. I have been feeling like this a lot lately, and thinking a lot about family, and how the people who raise us help shape who we become. I have said before on this blog that my family inspired my love of food, and today’s recipe is one that is inspired by my family and the close connections we all share. My mother is vegetarian and has always loved olives, so when creating this Vegan Olive Pesto Pasta, it felt like a labour of love inspired by family. Sadly, however, this focus on family connection was inspired by unfortunate events…

I was fast asleep on my vacation when suddenly my phone beeped at 4 am – it was a sad text from my cousin back in India. Four months ago, I lost my maternal grandmother – and now, two weeks ago, I’ve lost my maternal grandfather. Both of them were very old, and of course they had their own old-age problems. Everyone has to go one day, but yet it feels so unreal. Sometimes we get so busy with our personal stuff and work life that we forget that how long it has been since we saw our extended family. I saw my grandparents three years ago, and now I wish that I had seen them again before they left us. I talk to my mom every single day, and each time I spoke to her, I asked about them. When I first heard the sad news of my grandma, I knew it would be very hard on my grandfather. I mean, losing a family member is upsetting – but losing a spouse is totally different. Especially in old age, when all the kids are gone and busy with their lives, it’s the spouses who are together and living for each other.

 After my cousin texted me about my grandpa, a flood of memories just rushed over me, and I wondered how this could happen. It feels like only yesterday that my mom, brother, and I used to go every summer vacation to my grandparents’ house for a month when we were in school. Those were the days! Stealing the kitchen closet keys from my grandmother’s blouse while she was asleep in the night to steal Coke bottles (I’m not kidding – she used to hide them from us!), putting ice in her blouse to tease her… we were pretty mischievous little kids! The one thing I loved and I will always miss is playing cards with my grandma. She taught me how to play lots of different card games, and it was so much fun seeing the little kid in her come out while playing. As well, I’ll cherish my memories of all the cousins sleeping together in a room at our grandparents’ house, chatting all night, watching movies, and even having tuition hours together!

Up until now, I never really feared losing the people I love. But suddenly, when you see your grandparents are gone, you start to feel that extreme fear of losing your own parents. I don’t know if it’s normal, but just the thought scares the heck out of me!

Usually I shy away from sharing anything too personal or emotional in public. I don’t even know why I am writing this post for you all to read, but I guess it’s good to share these feelings sometimes, since I am sure most you reading this post also feels this way or may have felt this way at some point of time. And yes, when I said that I speak to my mom every single day, I mean it – not just once, but twice: after waking up and before I go to bed. That’s how close I am with my mom. Who and what I am today is all because of her love and care, and I could never be even 10% of who she is.

Since my mom has been vegetarian for a long time now, growing up I was used to eating mostly vegetarian and vegan meals. Needless to say, I feel very comfortable testing out new vegetarian recipes. Its funny that whenever I am in my test kitchen trying out new things, I always think to call my mom and share the recipe (if everything turns out the way I wanted it to!). My mom is a fan of basil and olives (as am I!), and since I still have herbs growing in my garden, I decided to mix all the herbs along with olives to make pesto. This vegan pesto pasta is great for weeknight dinners or weekday lunches. You can actually change the ingredients to your liking – I simply used whatever I had in my garden, and the flavors blended just perfectly. Before its gets too cold and all my plants die, I will be making a big batch of pesto to freeze and use all winter. I hope you all enjoy this vegan olive pesto pasta, which I also call ‘Summer Heaven’ pasta, since it has tons of summer flavors.

The shifting of seasons and the passing of loved ones reminds us that our time here is limited. Take the time to make good food, and share it with the people you love. Make memories now that you can cherish forever. My grandfather was a man with a really big heart who would do anything you asked, and my grandmother was the most patient, calm, and loving lady I have ever known in my life. They might have physically left our lives, but they will both remain in our thoughts and hearts forever.

Vegan Olive Pesto Pasta

2016-09-30 13:41:36

Serves 4

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Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup kalamati olives
2. 1/2 cup basil
3. 1/4 cup mint
4. 1/4 cup kale
5. 1/8 cup rosemary
6. 1/2 cup walnuts
7. 1 cayenne pepper
8. 1/2 cup olive oil
9. salt
10. crushed black pepper
11. 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
12. 1/2 cup white navy beans
13. half bell pepper sliced
14. 1 small onion sliced
15. 1 - 1 1/2 cup dry penne pasta

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
2. Cook the pasta for 7-10 minutes (or until al dente), and drain the pasta saving some of the starchy water.
3. Drizzle some olive oil over the pasta to avoid it drying out.
4. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute garlic, onions, and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes over medium to high heat.
5. Add garbanzo beans and white navy beans, and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat to low. Add salt, pepper, and pesto and mix well.
7. Stir in the pasta and add a little starchy water, if needed.

Notes

1. You can add any herb you like!
2. Walnuts can be substituted with any other nut, or even taken out if you have nut allergy.
3. I didn't add any cheese, but if you like you could add any vegan cheese. If you're not vegan, then adding parmesan cheese would be perfect with this pesto.

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