Asparagus & Lemon Pasta

recipe

• Step 1
  Cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions (about 8 minutes).
• Step 2
  Using a paring knife, scrape off the spikes around the asparagus stalks.
• Step 3
  Snap off the woody base ends of the asparagus and cut on the diagonal into 2-inch pieces.
• Step 4
  Grate the lemon zest into a bowl and set aside.
• Step 5
  Juice the lemon.
• Step 6
  4 minutes before the pasta is done cooking, add the asparagus to the pasta pot.
• Step 7
  Drain the pasta, reserving 1 ladleful of the cooking water.
• Step 8
  In a pan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the lemon juice and stir for 2 minutes, until the sauces reduces and thickens a bit.
• Step 9
  Add the pasta and asparagus to the pan over medium heat.
• Step 10
  Add a bit of the pasta cooking water and bring to a simmer.
• Step 11
  Add the grated parmesan and cook for a few minutes until texture is creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Step 12
  Add half of the lemon zest and mix.
• Step 13
  Serve the pasta sprinkled with the rest of the lemon zest and parmesan.