PROTEIN PACKED CHICKPEA PASTA

Did you know you can make your pasta sauce out of chickpeas? Yes, you read that right! This recipe is packed with protein and can be made with little food waste!

Substituting the protein in pasta recipes like this one with plant-based options instead of animal-based ones like chicken can help you substantially reduce your carbon footprint! Making this substitution just once a week for a year can save 80 kg of CO2e. That saving equals driving from Vancouver to the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada!

This recipe only takes 20 minutes and is warm and comforting! Perfect for a busy rainy evening meal!

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 small onions OR 1 large onion

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 Tsp red chilli flakes

• 2 sprigs rosemary finely chopped

• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley with the stems

• 2 small broccoli heads with stalks

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 4 cups of your favourite pasta

Method

1. Get started by putting about 6 cups of water on the stove to boil.

2. While you are waiting for your water to heat up, get started chopping! Dice up your onions, mince your garlic, salt, pepper, and finely chop your fresh herbs. When chopping your parsley, you can keep the stem in there; it is full of nutrients and will add flavour to your meal.

3. Heat your pan, then add your oil and the onions, garlic, ¼ parsley, and rosemary. Sauté for 4-5 minutes.

4. While this cooks, chop up your broccoli (stalk and all) and add that to your pan. Also, add on a can of drained chickpeas and red chili flakes. Sauté another 5 minutes.

5. If you haven’t done so yet, check to see if your water from earlier is boiling, and add your pasta if it is.

6. Add your other can of chickpeas to a blender, liquid and all! Blend until smooth, and then add to your broccoli and chickpea mixture.

7. Before you drain your pasta, add about ⅓ cup of the pasta water to your broccoli and chickpea mixture. Then drain your pasta when it is cooked to your liking and add mix everything together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

8. Enjoy topped with fresh parsley!

Thanks for taking eco-action! 🌎💚

Recipe adapted from:

https://vegancocotte.com/vegan-chickpea-pasta-sauce/