Home

Pasta with Arugula and Hazelnut Pesto

17/11/2023

Pasta with arugula and hazelnut pesto is a simple and tasty dish that combines the spiciness of arugula with the sweet and crunchy notes of hazelnuts. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 320 grams of pasta (such as trofie, fusilli or farfalle)
  • 100 grams of fresh arugula
  • 50 grams of toasted hazelnuts
  • 50 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove of garlic (optional)
  • 80 mL of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta. Once boiling, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.

  2. In the meantime, thoroughly wash the arugula and dry it. In a mortar or a food processor, combine the arugula, the previously toasted hazelnuts, and a pinch of salt. If you like a stronger flavor, you can add a clove of garlic.

  3. Begin to process the ingredients, gradually adding the extra virgin olive oil, until a homogeneous and creamy sauce is obtained. If necessary, you can add a little more oil to reach the desired consistency.

  4. Add the grated Parmesan to the arugula and hazelnut pesto and mix until it is well incorporated. Adjust the seasoning with salt and add pepper to taste.

  5. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water to thin the pesto if necessary.

  6. Put the pasta back in the pot and add the arugula and hazelnut pesto. Mix well, adding a bit of the reserved cooking water to make it creamier.

  7. Serve hot, possibly garnished with some coarse toasted hazelnuts and fresh arugula leaves as decoration.

Curiosity

Arugula is a very popular herb in Italian cuisine, often used in salads, on pizzas and in pesto variations like this one. Its origins are in the Mediterranean, and its presence has been noted since Roman times, where it was also consumed for its aphrodisiac properties. Hazelnuts, on the other hand, are a typical ingredient of Northern Italy, particularly from Piedmont, and they add a unique touch of crunchiness and sweetness to the dish.

Pasta with Arugula and Hazelnut Pesto