Equipment
Ingredients
Pasta
- 400 g spaghetti or fettuccine
- 4000 ml water
- 20 g salt
Avocado Walnut Pesto
- 2 hass avocados, halved and pitted
- 50 g walnuts, lightly toasted
- 30 g fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
- 2 garlic, peeled
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 4 g salt
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 712 kcal
- Protein
- 17 g
- Carbohydrates
- 84 g
- Fat
- 36 g
- Fiber
- 9 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 401 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 20 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 9 g
- Potassium
- 682 mg
- Calcium
- 61 mg
- Iron
- 4.5 mg
- Magnesium
- 100 mg
- Phosphorus
- 280 mg
- Zinc
- 2.4 mg
- Vitamin A
- 25 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 13 mg
- Vitamin E
- 4.0 mg
- Vitamin K
- 56 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.5 mg
- Thiamin
- 1.00 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.53 mg
- Niacin
- 8.7 mg
- Folate
- 317 mcg
- Water
- 81 g
Sources: USDA FoodData Central
Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil at 100C/212F. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, combine the scooped avocado flesh, toasted walnuts, fresh basil, garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt in a blender.
Blend the avocado mixture on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick to blend, add a small splash of water.
Right before the pasta finishes cooking, carefully scoop out and reserve 120ml of the starchy pasta water from the pot.
Drain the pasta using a colander. Immediately return the hot pasta to the large pot, keeping it off the heat.
Pour the blended avocado pesto over the warm pasta. Pour in half of the reserved pasta water.
Use tongs to toss the pasta vigorously with the sauce until completely coated and glossy. Add the remaining pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Serve immediately.
Chef's Notes
- Using warm, starchy pasta water is the secret to creating a seamless emulsion between the rich avocado oils and the pasta.
- Do not apply direct heat to the avocado pesto at any stage. Heat causes avocado to release bitter compounds and rapidly darkens the vibrant green color.
- For the silkiest texture, ensure your avocados are completely ripe. They should yield to gentle pressure without feeling hollow or mushy.
- If you prefer a completely traditional Chilean profile, omit the basil and walnuts, replacing them with a handful of fresh cilantro and a pinch of cumin.
Storage
Refrigerator: 1 day — Avocado will oxidize and turn brown over time. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of leftovers to minimize browning.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, though best enjoyed fresh to prevent the avocado from becoming bitter.
Troubleshooting
Sauce becomes clumpy or overly thick when mixed with pasta
Cause: Avocado ratio to liquid is too high, or the pasta absorbed the moisture instantly
Fix: Vigorously stir in hot water, 15ml at a time, until the emulsion becomes glossy again
Prevention: Always reserve ample pasta water before draining to thin the sauce as needed
Avocado sauce turns bitter after tossing
Cause: The sauce was heated directly on the stove
Fix: Cannot be fixed
Prevention: Never cook avocado over direct heat; mix the sauce with the pasta off the heat
Pesto turns brown quickly in the bowl
Cause: Oxidation from air exposure and residual heat
Fix: Cannot be fixed once oxidized, but flavor remains unaffected and safe to eat
Prevention: Toss the pasta with the sauce at the very last minute and ensure adequate lemon juice is used in the blend
Cultural Context
In Chile, tallarines con palta (pasta with mashed avocado) is a beloved, nostalgic comfort food typically thrown together for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner. While the traditional version relies simply on mashed avocado mixed directly into warm noodles, blending the ingredients into a pesto-like emulsion with walnuts elevates this everyday classic into a silky, sophisticated dish while maintaining its accessible charm.
