Chestnut Tagliatelle with Porcini Mushrooms

Chestnut tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms is a rich and flavorful autumnal dish that combines the sweetness of chestnuts with the intense flavor of mushrooms. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 250 g of chestnut tagliatelle (or egg tagliatelle if not available)
• 300 g of fresh porcini mushrooms
• 1 clove of garlic
• Fresh chopped parsley to taste
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 knob of butter (optional)
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Clean the porcini mushrooms thoroughly with a damp cloth or a mushroom brush to remove any soil residue. Avoid washing them in water, as they can absorb moisture and lose flavor; if necessary, you can quickly rinse them under water and dry them immediately afterward.
2. Slice the porcini mushrooms into not too thin slices.
3. In a large frying pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil with a crushed garlic clove, being cautious not to burn it.
4. Remove the garlic and add the sliced porcini mushrooms to the pan. Let them cook over high heat for a few minutes until they have released their natural liquid.
5. Lower the heat and continue cooking until the liquid has partly reduced, then season with salt and pepper.
6. In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the chestnut tagliatelle following the cooking time indicated on the package for al dente pasta.
7. Drain the pasta while saving some of the cooking water, and transfer it into the pan with the porcini mushrooms.
8. If desired, you can add a knob of butter to combine and make the dish creamier.
9. Toss it in the pan with the mushrooms for a minute, adding a bit of the cooking water if necessary to achieve a good emulsion.
10. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and, if preferred, add grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Did you know?

Chestnut tagliatelle is a typical dish of the Italian mountain regions where chestnuts were once the staple food of the local populations. Chestnut flour gives the pasta a distinctive and slightly sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with the earthiness and aroma of porcini mushrooms.