Linguine with Arugula and Almond Pesto

I can suggest how to prepare delicious Linguine with Arugula and Almond Pesto! It’s a fresh and slightly spicy dish, a great Italian twist on the classic Genovese pesto. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g of linguine
• 100 g of arugula
• 50 g of almonds
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil as needed
• Salt as needed
• Pepper as needed (optional)

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the arugula and almond pesto. Lightly toast the almonds in a pan to bring out their flavor, then let them cool.
3. In a blender, combine the washed and dried arugula, toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese, garlic (amount as desired based on your preference for intensity), and a pinch of salt. Blend everything while gradually adding extra virgin olive oil until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary. If you like, you can also add a pinch of pepper.
4. Drain the pasta al dente and reserve some of the cooking water.
5. Put the linguine in a large bowl and add the arugula and almond pesto. Mix well, adding some of the reserved cooking water to make the sauce creamier.
6. Serve and, if you wish, add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and some whole almonds for decoration.

Curiosity

The arugula and almond pesto is a lighter and less caloric variant compared to traditional pesto, thanks to the presence of arugula that adds a spicy and distinctive taste to the dish. Moreover, almonds provide a crunchy texture and are an excellent source of healthy fats!