Il Cucinologo
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Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Pea Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Stracciatella

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing a flavorful dish of whole wheat spaghetti with pea pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and stracciatella. This is a fresh and colorful recipe, ideal for a spring or summer dinner.

Ingredients

  • 320 g whole wheat spaghetti
  • 200 g fresh or frozen peas
  • 50 g sun-dried tomatoes in oil
  • 150 g stracciatella di burrata (or plain burrata)
  • 30 g pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil (a couple of leaves for garnish)
  • (Optional) Shavings of Parmigiano or Pecorino Romano to add an extra Italian touch

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the pea pesto. Boil the peas in salted boiling water for about 5-7 minutes if fresh, or 2-3 minutes if frozen. Drain and immediately cool them in ice water to maintain a vibrant color.

  2. Place the peas in a food processor, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the garlic clove (germ removed, optional), pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Blend until you obtain a smooth mixture, adjusting salt if necessary.

  3. Take the sun-dried tomatoes and cut them into thin strips.

  4. Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and cook the whole wheat spaghetti according to the package instructions for al dente texture.

  5. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and briefly sauté the sun-dried tomatoes just to release their aroma.

  6. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Transfer the spaghetti to the skillet with the sun-dried tomatoes and add the pea pesto, mixing gently. Add a little cooking water if the pasta seems too dry.

  7. Serve the spaghetti on plates and finish with cheese shavings (if desired), garnishing with a few fresh basil leaves and adding the stracciatella di burrata on top of the hot pasta so it starts to melt slightly.

  8. Add your final touch with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if desired, and a pinch of freshly ground pepper.

Fun Facts

The stracciatella di burrata is a delicate, stringy cheese typical of the Puglia region. Its fresh, creamy flavor pairs perfectly with the slightly sweet taste of the peas and the intensity of the sun-dried tomatoes, creating a very interesting and pleasant balance of flavors.