Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Wild Fennel Pesto Pasta: A Taste of Sicilian Sunshine on Your Plate
Learn to make wild fennel pesto pasta, a fragrant vegetarian dish bursting with the authentic flavours of Sicily!
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 400 g pasta (spaghetti, bucatini or busiate)
- ✓ 2 bunches of wild fennel
- ✓ 50 g pine nuts
- ✓ 50 g peeled almonds
- ✓ 2 tablespoons grated Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ 1 garlic clove
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
- ✓ Salt, to taste
📊 Nutritional Information
If you cherish the bold, genuine flavours of Sicily, then wild fennel pesto pasta is an absolute must-try. This vegetarian starter, perfumed and full of aromatic depth, brings together the fresh, herbaceous notes of wild fennel with the toasted richness of almonds and pine nuts, creating a silky, irresistible sauce. It’s the perfect recipe to impress with simplicity and authentic charm.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Gently toast the almonds and pine nuts in a dry pan to bring out their flavour.
- 2
Wash and trim the wild fennel, removing the toughest stems, then blanch it in salted boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain, reserving the cooking water.
- 3
In a blender, combine the fennel, garlic, toasted almonds and pine nuts, pecorino, a pinch of salt, and a good drizzle of olive oil. Blend until you achieve a smooth, aromatic pesto.
- 4
Cook the pasta in the reserved fennel water until just al dente, then drain, keeping a little of the cooking water aside.
- 5
Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding a splash of the reserved water if needed to loosen the sauce and make it creamy.
- 6
Serve the wild fennel pesto pasta warm, finishing with a sprinkle of pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.
💡 Tips and Variations
For an extra burst of fragrance, stir in a little finely grated lemon zest to the pesto. For a nuttier twist, swap the pine nuts for pistachios from Bronte, which lends a deeper flavour.
📦 Storage
- • Store the pesto in the fridge for 2-3 days, covered with a layer of olive oil in a jar.
- • You can also freeze it in small containers or ice cube trays for convenient portions whenever you fancy.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this wild fennel pesto pasta with a glass of young Contea di Sclafani red wine, floral and harmonious, wonderfully balancing the aromatic intensity of the dish.
Why not bring a little slice of Sicilian sunshine into your kitchen with this luscious wild fennel pesto pasta? It's a delightfully fresh and fragrant dish that’s as simple to prepare as it is satisfying. Gather your loved ones around the table, share this authentic taste of Sicily, and watch how a humble pasta can turn into a memorable feast. Do give it a go and let the flavours transport you!
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