Sicilian Pesto Recipes

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.

PESTO ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Combine Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, olive oil, basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in a mortar. Crush with a pestle until pesto is finely ground, but not too smooth.
• Mix pesto, cherry tomatoes, and ricotta cheese together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

SICILIAN TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add the pine nuts.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately remove from the pan.
• Place the basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
• Stop and scrape down the sides.
• Add the grated cheese and crushed red-pepper flakes and pulse a few times to make a thick paste.
• Transfer to a bowl and fold in the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.

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.