Ingredients:
For the Dressing
1 ½ teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
½ small shallot, chopped
2 teaspoons maple syrup
¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup neutral-flavoured oil
For the Salad
¾ lb asparagus
1 cup shelled green peas
1 lb small pasta
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 green onions, finely sliced
6-7 radishes, finely sliced into half moons
½ cup flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped
Directions:
Make the lemony dressing. In an upright blender, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, shallot, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and oil. Blend the mixture on high until creamy and unified. Set aside.
Place a large bowl of ice water on the counter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Chop the asparagus into 2-inch lengths and add to the boiling water. Boil the asparagus for 2 minutes, or until it’s just starting to become tender. Add the peas to the water and stir for a few seconds, or until they turn bright green. Using a slotted spoon, transfer all of the asparagus and peas to the ice water. Let the vegetables sit and chill down.
Bring the salted water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and another good pinch of salt. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and then immediately transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chickpeas to the bowl as well. Quickly toss the pasta and chickpeas with two thirds of the lemony dressing until everything is coated.
Drain the asparagus and peas thoroughly and add them to the bowl with the pasta, along with the green onions, radishes, parsley, the remaining lemony dressing, some salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
