Spaghetti With Sicilian Pesto Food

SICILIAN TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a dry, medium skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring often, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Combine the cooled almonds, tomatoes, basil, parsley, mint, red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Pulse, adding a little bit of the oil at a time, until everything is finely chopped and emulsified. Add the Parmesan and pulse to incorporate. Season with salt to taste.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with the toasted baguette slices. Any leftover pesto can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

SPAGHETTI WITH SICILIAN PESTO

Steps:

• Roast pepper over a gas flame, turning, until blackened, about 8 minutes. (Or blacken under broiler.) Transfer to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove skin, stem, ribs, and seeds. Tear into 2-inch pieces. Puree in a blender with tomatoes, anchovies, capers, raisins, almonds, cheese, and oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot.
• Add pepper mixture, then reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until sauce evenly coats pasta. Serve, topped with cheese, almonds, and parsley, and drizzled with oil.

SPAGHETTI WITH SICILIAN PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the spaghetti in heavily salted boiling water until just al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well combined. If not using immediately, refrigerate the pesto until needed.
• Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water, and toss the cooked pasta with the pesto, adding just enough pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce a bit. Serve with extra grated Parmesan and chile flakes.