Ingredients
1 cup whole almonds
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces short pasta, such as mezzi rigatoni, cavatappi, or gemelli
1 small clove garlic, chopped (1 teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups lightly packed cilantro, plus sprigs for serving (optional)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup roasted carrots (from 3; see Easy Roasted Vegetables), for serving
1 cup crumbled feta (5 ounces), for serving
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until golden and fragrant, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely. Coarsely chop 1/3 cup; reserve.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
Meanwhile, drop garlic in feed tube of a running food processor. Add 2/3 cup almonds; process until coarsely chopped. Add cilantro and oil; process to a paste. Season with salt and pepper.
Add pesto to drained pasta along with 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen pesto slightly. Toss to combine, creating a silky sauce. Serve with carrots, feta, reserved almonds, and cilantro sprigs.
