Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat (no oil). Add pine nuts and toast until light brown. Immediately remove and let cool slightly.

Place all remaining ingredients except olive oil in a food processor or blender. Slowly pour the oil in through the feeder tube. Blend until smooth (or to desired consistency), adding a touch of extra oil (or water) if required.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with the salt. Add pasta and cook for the length of time per the package. Just before draining, scoop out 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Drain pasta in a colander and leave it for a minute. Transfer pasta to a serving bowl. Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding more pasta water if required to make pasta silky and saucy.

Taste, add more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parmesan.