Summer corn is something to be savored and celebrated. I can’t get enough of it this time of year. Usually I find myself eating it raw in salads or making a quick and chunky salsa with some avocado and cherry tomatoes but this recipe is the ultimate in corn indulgence. The corn is quickly blanched and combined with some soaked raw cashews, a little olive oil and a squeeze of lime. If you thin it with a little water it makes a lovely cold soup but toss it with some hot pasta and prepare to blow your mind. This is the one vegan pasta dish you should add to your collection, rich, creamy and utterly decadent it couldn’t be easier and combined with some quickly marinated tomatoes it combines all the best flavors that summer can offer in a single bowl.
- For the Sweet corn pasta sauce:
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2 cups corn kernels, blanched
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- For the finished pasta:
- 1 pound spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)
- 1 cup corn kernels, blanched
- 1 cup sweet corn pasta sauce
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- For the sweet corn pasta sauce:
- In a high speed blender puree all the ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust as desired. For a richer sauce add a little bit more olive oil for a more acidic sauce add a more lime juice.
- For the pasta:
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.
- Quarter the cherry tomatoes and add them to a medium bowl along with the basil, garlic and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large pan heat the cup of sweet corn sauce and add the cooked pasta and reserved corn. Toss to coat and cook until warmed through. Add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce as needed. To serve plate the pasta and spoon some of the tomatoes over the top.
This looks like a fantastic way to celebrate summer corn! I love cashew-based pasta sauces, especially with cauliflower or sweet potato, but I hadn’t thought to use corn instead.
This sounds like the best possible way to eat the summer corn and tomato harvest! So fresh and delicious.
I changed up the sauce and added more veggies, but check out my take on your amazing dish! http://xtinaluvspink.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/corn-pasta-sauce-with-marinated-fresh-veggies/