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Chilled Pasta with Pistachio Pesto and Shrimp

17/11/2023

Chilled pasta with pistachio pesto and shrimp is a refined and fresh dish, perfect for summer. Here is the recipe with the typical Italian touch.

Ingredients

  • 320g of short pasta (such as fusilli or farfalle)
  • 200g of cleaned shrimp
  • 100g of unsalted pistachios
  • A bunch of fresh basil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • About 50g of grated Parmesan
  • 100 ml of extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Preparazione

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the pasta.

  2. In the meantime, in a non-stick pan, cook the shrimp with a bit of oil and garlic for a few minutes until they turn pink and slightly golden. Season with salt and pepper lightly, then set them aside.

  3. Prepare the pistachio pesto by placing the pistachios in a blender (save some for the final garnish), along with the basil, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil. Blend everything until you get a smooth cream. If necessary, you can add a little pasta cooking water to make the pesto more fluid.

  4. Cook the pasta until al dente, drain it and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure that it is well chilled.

  5. In a large bowl, combine the pasta with the pistachio pesto, adding the shrimp. Mix well to flavor the pasta.

  6. Let the pasta rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

  7. At the time of serving, garnish with the whole pistachios set aside and, if you like, a drizzle of raw oil.

You can also enrich the dish with arugula or cherry tomatoes for an extra touch of freshness.

Curiosità

The pistachio, especially the one from Bronte in Sicily, is highly appreciated in Italy and abroad for its quality. It is often used in various ways in Sicilian cuisine, from sweet to savory, giving the dishes a unique and particularly sought-after flavor.

Chilled Pasta with Pistachio Pesto and Shrimp