Whole Wheat Spaghetti in a Garlic White Wine Sauce with Spinach, Walnuts, Fresh Figs and Goat Cheese

A couple of week’s back I was perusing Buzz Feed (a frequent activity during the month of August) when I came across “27 Delicious Ways to Eat Fresh Figs.”  How they narrowed the approximately 1,576,222 delicious ways to eat fresh figs down to only twenty-seven is beyond me, but some of their choices looked pretty divine.  I immediately though of the fig free in the front yard of my Dad’s house in Spain and sent him the link.  Although he’s always been a fan of the most simplest way to enjoy a fresh fig (straight from the tree), I figured Kippy would put some of them to good use.

Just a few days later while attempting not to have a panic attack shopping in Costco, I came across a two-pound package of fresh figs and knew it was a sign.  I admitted to Courtney that no, I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with two pounds of fresh figs, but not to worry, I had some ideas.  And sure enough…

I found I had all the ingredients on hand to make this lovely pasta dish!

Whole Wheat Spaghetti in a Garlic White Wine Sauce with Spinach, Walnuts, Fresh Figs and Goat Cheese

Adapted from Green Kitchen Stories

• 4 oz whole wheat spaghetti
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 small lemon, juice and zest
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 3-4 oz goat cheese
• 1/3 cup walnut halves and pieces
• 5 fresh ripe figs, cut in quarters
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook the spaghetti according to the package and set aside when done. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  Add garlic and let it sweat for about 30 seconds before adding  the wine and the lemon juice.  Stir in 3/4 of the goat cheese and let simmer.   Add the spaghetti, spinach and the walnuts.  Stir for 30 seconds, taste it and add salt if needed, make sure that the spaghetti is covered in the sauce.  Gently fold the figs into the pasta.  Separate onto two plates and sprinkle with remaining goat cheese and lemon zest.

Serves 2

Johanna