Trofie with Pesto, Potatoes, and Green Beans

Trofie with Pesto, Potatoes, and Green Beans is a classic dish of Ligurian cuisine. Here’s how to prepare this exquisite combination:

Ingredients for the Pesto:

• 50 g of fresh basil leaves
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of pine nuts
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 g of grated Pecorino cheese (optional)
• 100 ml of extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste

Ingredients for the Pasta:

• 300 g of trofie (or other pasta of your choice)
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
• 150 g of green beans, cleaned and cut into pieces

Preparation of the Pesto:

1. Wash the basil leaves and gently dry them. In a mortar, crush the basil together with the garlic, pine nuts, and a pinch of salt until you get a homogeneous mixture.

2. Add the Parmesan (and Pecorino if used), mixing or crushing until well combined.

3. Slowly pour in the oil, continuing to mix until a creamy sauce is obtained.

Preparation of the Pasta:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the potatoes.

2. After about 4-5 minutes, add the trofie and green beans to the pot.

3. Cook everything together until the pasta is done, which usually coincides with the cooked green beans and potatoes.

4. Drain the pasta and vegetables, reserving some cooking water.

5. In a large bowl or in the same pot, add the pesto to the trofie, mixing gently and gradually adding the reserved cooking water to maintain creaminess.

Serve hot, with an additional sprinkling of Parmesan if desired. This dish is a perfect balance of flavors, with the fresh and aromatic pesto meeting the earthy accord of the potatoes and the sweet crunchiness of the green beans. Enjoy your meal!