Spaghetti con Pesto alla Trapanese
Ingredients
- 250g baby plum tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- 50g fresh basil leaves
- 50g Pecorino cheese, grated
- Italian extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
- 50g skinned almonds
- 1 packet Italian Rummo spaghetti (80-100g per person)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
*Image and recipe by Chef Maurizio of La Locanda
Method:
- To make the pesto, cut a cross into the top of the baby plum tomatoes and blanche in boiled water for a few minutes. Place into cold water and then peel to remove the skin.
- Using a pestle and mortar, or a food processor, crush together the tomatoes, garlic, basil, grated Pecorino cheese and a little Italian extra virgin olive oil (evoo).
- Toast the almonds in a very hot non-stick pan until golden.
- Add the almonds to the pesto mixture and crush. If using a food processor, make sure you do not over-blend to keep the ‘crunch’.
- Cook the spaghetti in salted water as per Rummo packet instructions.
- Once cooked, take the spaghetti and mix some grated Pecorino cheese and evoo in a bowl with a tiny bit of the spaghetti water from the pan then add to the pesto mixture.
- To serve, dress with a drizzle of evoo and some extra grated Pecorino cheese.
Chef Maurizio’s Tip:
This meal is also delicious served cold at a picnic and/or serve the pesto mixture on toasted bread for a perfect aperitivo.