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What’s not to love about  a quick and easy pasta salad? I had so much fun creating a pasta dish with a Mexican twist. Salsa, avocado, hot sauce and Cojita cheese give this a fun flair beyond classic picnic pasta salads.
I was curious about the meaning of Cinco de Mayo. Here is a definition “The history and significance of Cinco De Mayo (5th of May), which commemorates the victory of the Mexican Militia over the French Army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862.”
If you are celebrating and entertaining a crowd for Cinco de Mayo or anytime, you will love this recipe. It is simple to prepare, very healthy and full of flavor. You can make as much or as little as you need. Â The measurements do not have to be precise. Â You add what you want and can easily make adaptations. It can be served at room temperature so it is great for outdoor BBQ’s, picnics, etc.
My goal with this recipe was to celebrate the Avocado, tying back to the event I attended at Ciudad-LA last weekend. My whole family loved this pasta and I hope you will too.
If you are celebrating with adults may I recommend a fruity margarita? What do you like to cook up for this fun holiday?
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Fiesta Pasta with Avocado, Cojita, Salsa & Pepitas
Serves 4 (simple to adapt for smaller or larger crowds)
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 pound cooked Whole Wheat Pasta or gluten free pasta
- a few large peeled & cubed California Avocados
- good fruity Olive Oil (I like Roasted Garlic Olive Oil, Cilantro Oil would be great too.)
- a handful crumbled Cojita Cheese (I like Feta too)
- a handful of roasted Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
- a handful of chopped fresh Cilantro
- juice from 1 lime
- sliced Cherry Tomatoes (I used mini Heirloom Tomatoes)
- a handful of chopped Green Onions
- Salsa
- Smoked Paprika
- Garlic Salt
- Black Pepper
- Optional: kick up the heat with your favorite Hot Sauce
METHOD
Cook your pasta. Drain and toss with some olive oil. Lightly spray or coat a small skillet with olive oil. Heat on medium heat. Add pepitas, season with some garlic salt and smoked paprika. Toast pepitas in a skillet for a few minutes until fragrant. Stir frequently and watch carefully so they do not burn. Remove pepitas from heat and allow to cool a bit. In a medium bowl, gently toss pasta with 1/2 of your cheese, pepitas, chopped avocados, cilantro and tomatoes. Also add a dash of black pepper, lime juice, smoked paprika and salt if needed.
When serving top pasta with salsa, more feta, the remainder of the avocado, pepitas & tomatoes.  Sprinkle some cilantro and additional seasonings if desired. Best served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
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Variations
Add your favorite lean protein for a full & well balanced meal. Â Anything from tofu to chicken breast to sirloin. Â Each choice would be yummy either placed on top or tossed into this pasta.
Avocados are on sale this week, yahoo! I will stock up so I can make your salad. It looks wonderful!
YUM! That’s just about all my favorite foods in one dish, and combined in a way I would’ve never thought it. As always, beautiful and brilliant, Marla!
Very party-like! That pasta dish makes my mouth water!
Cheers,
Rosa
I think if anything’s going to make me like avocado – this will be it!! Looks delicious, as always, Marla 🙂 And thanks for the background tidbits on cinco de mayo, too!
This festive pasta is full of some of my most favorite ingredients! I can’t wait to try it!! I could eat an entire bowl of just feta cheese, avocados, and heirloom tomatoes, even without the pasta! Nice recipe and gorgeous photos!
This sounds great, and looks beautiful! I forgot about Cinco De Mayo…this is a good reminder that I should celebrate and cook for my friends. I’ll definitely be adding the hot sauce to this hot dish!
Looks fabulous Marla! Sounds like you a good time last week–I was bummed I had to miss it!!
Your pictures are so pretty, Marla! Those tomatoes look like little jewels…and that cup is gorgeous! A pasta party really sounds perfect for Cinco de Mayo!
I was so bummed to be out of town and miss this event! The salad looks gorgeous.
Any salad with avocados is superb to me, then adding pepitas..love my pepitas..cute bowls
sweetlife
This sounds delicious! Love the combination and the flavors!
it seems to me that there are very few foods more pretty than heirloom tomatoes. not only is this dish beautiful, but it must taste amazing! great recipe, marla. 🙂
This is my kind of pasta!
This looks amazing! Glad you had such a fantastic time last weekend! Beautiful pics!
Sounds delicious, I love the flavors and I have to confess I go ga-ga over pretty multicolored tomatoes like those 🙂
Marla this sounds absolutely delicious! Definately one I am going to try for Jacob and I. I made a batch of your PB Maple cookies last night (modified a bit) and they were a hit!
Loved your post here! And the recipe looks fabulous, I will have to try it sometime.
My husband and I actually live in Mexico, about 4 hours south of Juarez. We love it here! There is so much fresh produce, including avocados that is SO cheap.
Love you blog!
This would be delicious. It is incredibly different than the “usual” spaghetti flavour profiles. Love avocado… pumpkin seed oil would be great with this, too. I find myself consistently attracted to strong fresh bold flavours – and they are all right here in this bowl. The seeds would be a great texture taste addition. Love it.
Thanks,
🙂
Valerie
PS – avocados in Edmonton AB are expensive 🙂 (just a reference to Liesl’s comment)
Ohhhh, pumpkin seed oil. Great idea Valerie. I have never seen that, but now I will look for it. xo
Avocados are fruits of the Gods and you are a goddess. If that tastes as good as those photos are , I will be in heaven. With your recipes, that is a guarantee!
The pasta looks so festive and refreshing. I love avocados and the best ones grow in Southern California.
this looks like it has my name all over it…. I could eat this for breakfast lunch and dinner on a daily basis! I am an avocado fanatic… lets plan an avocado pot luck with all the girls asap!
Looks so good! That’s the kind of pasta I would go for, with that southwestern twist!
Love a recommendation other than the typical nachos and fajitas so many will be feasting on this Wednesday. Not only healthy, but it’s creative and looks delicious!
those are beautiful heirloom tomatoes….what a great pasta dish
thanks for sharing!
Dennis
Those are some great looking tomatoes. Cheers!
This is the Hass’ “sweet” time of the year! GREG
this looks so good to me! love all of the ingredients in this!
I’m in love with this mix of pasta and all my favorite Mexican flavors and ingredients. What a fun meal for Cinco de Mayo!
That bowl of tomatoes is teasing me. I cant wait to get some vine ripened tomatoes from the Farmer’s Market. And this salad looks like a perfect way to use them. Very nice!. .
What a beautiful plate of food!!