This pesto pasta salad is made with spiralized turnips, asparagus and peas and is tossed with tarragon pesto for a light, healthy and easy Spring meal!
FOOD JUDGER. F-OO-D JU-D-G-ER (adjective)
“A person who decides that they don’t like something based on the sole reasons that 1. their grandparents ate it and 2. It’s sort of really ugly looking.”
You guys. That right there is written in Webster’s dictionary. And a picture of my face is RIGHT BESIDE IT.
Sidenote: I can’t even guarantee that it’s an adjective. It’s been a long time since the days of “Taylor goes to school.” CUT ME SOME SLACK OK.
Thanks.
Anyway.
I’m sort of ashamed today because, as I mentioned above, I am a food judger. AKA the worst kind of person who misses out on all things taste bud tingling (how do we feel about that term? I’m still kind of iffy about typing it) and full of DELICIOUS YUMS because she has some sort of notion that they taste bad…WITHOUT EVEN TASTING THEM. <— What kind of person even assumes that?
Me, that’s what kind of person.
But, in my defense. My grandpa ate turnips. And he got old. (was that rude? I mean, it’s a factual statement) so clearly turnips were the cause of that right? That doesn’t just happen to everyone normally.
This is how my brain works. It’s a scary place.
Plus. They’re really ugly. I mean, until you throw them at the spiralizer. I don’t know how one piece of small, plastic machinery can making something go from UGLY PURPLE DIRTY VEGETABLE –> ribbons of dainty and eye-ball smile inducing prettyfulness.
It does it with zucchini noodles, sweet potato noodles and NOW turnip noodles. Nothing is safe from the spiralzin’ makeover. NOTHIN’.
It could basically be the next Stacey London and have its own hit show on TLC.
And I am a – ok with that.
Especially when these healthy spiralzzz (zzz for emphasis and FUN) that are NOT jam packed with carbs (ain’t no room for those when bikini season is LOOMING) are mixed up with bright green, FRESH pesto that’s made of dill and tarragon. <— SPRING TIME EATS, WHAT WHAT.
Remember the Paleo Casserole? That pile of ugly brown food got me smack dap in the middle of I-LOVE-TARRAGON and HOW-DID-I-NEVER-USE-IT-BEFORE-NOW land.
Plus, you sound really fancy and Julia-child like when you say it.
Before we go, I want to play one quick little game with you. It’s kind of like “Where’s Waldo?” except, the vegetal version. It’s called: “Where’s the shaved asparagus.”
The ring isn’t quite there. But, the taste? Your mouth is going to wonder why you haven’t stuffed shaved asparagus into it for ALL the years.
It’s hard to see amongst all the other green-age happenin’ here, but it’s there. Prettyful ribbons of thin, delicate asparagus all tangled up among long tendrils of turnip noodlies and tender-crisp, sweet snap peas. It’s all there folks.
Well, maybe. It might not be ALL there. Because, well….
I might have eaten some of your share. Sorry about that.
HOWEVER, this is me telling you to make like the famous “Green Goddess” salad dressing (which is not in this recipe, don’t get all confuzzled. It’s just got really green.) and tune into your inner Meatless Monday loving person.
Whatever that means.
If you make this recipe, please remember to tag @foodfaithfit and #foodfaithfitness on Instagram! I LOVE seeing your recipe recreations! 
Want more spiralized recipes?
Vegetarian Red Lentil Curry Sweet Potato Noodles
Paleo Orange Beef Stir Fry with Sweet Potato Noodles
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Alfredo
Julia says
I don’t use turnips much but I should! This looks great–love those noodles.
Taylor Kiser says
I don’t either, but I think I will now! Thank you!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
This dish is just stunning Taylor! I am loving all the flavors and how you combined them 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Chelsea! And I hope that you did too!
Cassie says
This looks fabuloussssssss <3
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Cassie!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Hello beautiful! While I’m not a food judger (I’m like a food “omg what is that I have never seen it before I have to try it” kind of person) I can see why you would be all over turnips. They are the bomb!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, I wish I was like that!! Thanks lady!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
This looks absolutely tasty Taylor! And, your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you heaps Kristi!
Jasline (Foodie Baker) says
Oh I so want to get the spiralizer maker! Imagine all the delicious noodles possibilities!
Taylor Kiser says
You totally need to get one lady! SO good!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
You are right -turnips are just so fugly! But this most definitely isn’t – this is lovely! Yes – almost too lovely to eat – the key work in that {since we are all about words and all 😉 } is ALMOST!!! Now pass me a spork!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha @ spork! I will totally pass you a spork AND chow down on this with you! Thank you lady!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
This looks so good!! 🙂 Thanks for the link love!
Taylor Kiser says
You got it girl!
Kirsten says
Taylor,
Thanks for this recipe! I’ve added it to the Farm Fresh Feasts Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for folks who love to eat from the farm share.
I appreciate it!
Taylor Kiser says
Woo hoo! Thank you Kirsten!
plasterers bristol says
Hmm these look delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe, looks quite simple to make.
Simon
Taylor Kiser says
It really is! I hope you love it -thanks Simon!