Green Beans with Lemon and Pine Nuts

• 1 1/2 lb green beans, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp finely grated fresh lemon zest
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbl finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Blanch beans in a 4-quart saucepan of boiling salted water until they turn bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain the green beans well in a colander.

2. Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan, stirring regularly for about 3 minutes. (Skip this step if using toasted pine nuts). Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Heat oil in the pan and add the green beans. Mix in pine nuts, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste.  Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.