Week 28

Trenette al Pesto: The Pride of Ligurian Cuisine - Thursday, Week 28

Staff

Jul 13, 2023 — 1 min read

Photo by amirali mirhashemian / Unsplash

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Today we're exploring the fresh and vibrant flavors of Liguria with a classic pesto pasta dish. Trenette al Pesto is a Ligurian staple that brilliantly combines homemade basil pesto, green beans, potatoes, and trenette pasta. It's a light yet satisfying dish that truly encapsulates the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Let's get started!

Ingredients

400g of trenette pasta
200g of fresh green beans, trimmed
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
Salt, for the pasta water

For the pesto:

50g of fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove
30g of pine nuts
60g of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
30g of grated Pecorino cheese
125ml of extra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste

Instructions

Start by making the pesto. In a mortar and pestle, combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and a pinch of salt. Crush until you get a thick paste.
Add the cheeses and continue to grind. Slowly pour in the olive oil, mixing until you get a smooth, creamy sauce. Set the pesto aside.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add the green beans and pasta to the pot. Cook according to the pasta's package instructions until al dente.
Just before the pasta is ready, scoop out a cup of pasta water. You might need this to loosen the pesto.
Drain the pasta, beans, and potatoes and return them to the pot.
Add the pesto to the pot and stir gently, coating the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.

And there you have it - Trenette al Pesto, a simple yet flavourful dish that's sure to be a hit at any dinner table. Enjoy it with a glass of light, crisp Vermentino for a true Ligurian feast.

This dish shines in its simplicity. The key lies in using fresh, high-quality ingredients and treating them with respect. So grab some fresh basil, put on your apron, and take a culinary journey to Liguria. Buon appetito!

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