Pasta & rice main dishes

"busiati" with Trapanese pesto

⏱ 40 min👤 4 pp★★★☆☆

In Sicily, the freshness of the tomatoes and the intense aroma of basil come together in an iconic dish, "busiati" with Trapanese pesto, a preparation that embodies the essence of island cuisine. This pasta, characterized by a spiral shape obtained by rolling the dough around a knitting needle, has a unique and rough texture, ideal for holding the rich and aromatic sauce. The Trapanese pesto, made with toasted almonds, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, offers an explosion of flavors that recalls the warm Sicilian summer days, making each dish a moment of pure joy. The origins of this dish are rooted in the culinary tradition of the province of Trapani, where the combination of fresh and genuine ingredients is a fundamental principle. In particular, the almonds, which are blanched and then toasted to enhance their flavor, give the pesto an unmistakable creaminess and aroma, making the dish not only substantial but also extremely fragrant. "Busiati" with Trapanese pesto is perfect for serving on special occasions, such as a dinner with friends or a Sunday lunch, but it can also be a great choice for a quick and tasty meal during the week. The versatility of this dish allows it to be paired with different regional variations: in some areas, for example, it is common to enrich the pesto with pecorino cheese or add a touch of chili for a spicy note. Whatever the chosen version, "busiati" with Trapanese pesto represents a tribute to Sicilian gastronomic tradition, capable of conveying the warmth and passion of an entire region with every forkful.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving

Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
72g
Fat
18g
Fiber
2.5g

* approximate values per serving

Information
40 minutes Total time
Serves 4 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

With flour, eggs, and oil, prepare the pasta known in Trapani as "busiato," which is rolled around a "busu" (or knitting needle) with a quick motion of the hands to create a sort of fusillo. Meanwhile, peel the almonds (after blanching them for a moment), toast them in the oven, and chop them very finely. Break the tomatoes into pieces and pound them in a mortar with salt, basil, pepper, and garlic cloves. When the sauce is well blended, add a little olive oil and the chopped almonds. In a separate pan, toast the breadcrumbs. Cook the "busiati" for five minutes in boiling salted water, drain them, and toss them with the tomato and almond pesto. Place them on a serving dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and serve hot.

Tips
If you want to achieve a perfect tomato and almond pesto, make sure to carefully pound the ingredients in the mortar, so as to release all the flavors and create a homogeneous and fragrant sauce.
Trivia
Trapanese pesto is a variant of the traditional Genoese pesto, but it stands out for the use of almonds instead of pine nuts and the addition of fresh tomatoes, making it a unique condiment typical of Sicilian cuisine.