Pesto with a pestle

Basil, green beans, and Yukon gold potaotes in the farm box on Wednesday led to a quick dinner of pesto genovese: make a bit of pesto (I did it in a mortar because, well, I felt like it), peel and cut 2 potatoes and put them in a large pot of cold water, bring water to a boil, while that happens trim green beans and snap or cut into bite-size lengths, add 1 Tbsp. salt to boiling water with potatoes in it and also add 1/2 lb. spaghetti, a few minutes later add the green beans, when everything is tender drain and toss with the pesto.