Corkscrew Pasta with Sicilian Tomato Pesto (Busiate alla Siciliana)

Name: Corkscrew Pasta with Sicilian Tomato Pesto (Busiate alla Siciliana)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 6-8
Ingredients: 1 pint cherry tomatoes; 3 ⁄ 4 cup sliced almonds, toasted; 1 ⁄ 2 cup packed basil; 1 ⁄ 2 cup finely grated parmesan, plus more for serving; 6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp. golden raisins; 2 tbsp. capers, drained; 1 ⁄ 4 tsp. crushed red chile flakes; 3 anchovy filets in oil, drained; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 pepperoncini, stemmed, seeded, and roughly chopped; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 3 cups flour; 3 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk

Serves
serves 6-8

TODD COLEMAN

This flavorful pesto from Sicily is traditionally served with homemade busiate, a spiral-shaped pasta; you can substitute dried fusilli in a pinch. It first appeared in SAVEUR Issue #140 along with Laura Schenone's story Glorious Pesto.

Find this recipe in our cookbook, SAVEUR: Italian Comfort Food

Ingredients

1 pint cherry tomatoes
³⁄₄ cup sliced almonds, toasted
¹⁄₂ cup packed basil
¹⁄₂ cup finely grated parmesan, plus more for serving
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. golden raisins
2 tbsp. capers, drained
¹⁄₄ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
3 anchovy filets in oil, drained
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pepperoncini, stemmed, seeded, and roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups flour
3 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk

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Instructions

Step 1

Make the pesto: Place tomatoes in a food processor and process until finely chopped; pour tomatoes into a fine strainer and drain off excess juices. Process tomatoes along with almonds, basil, parmesan, 5 tbsp. oil, raisins, capers, chile flakes, anchovies, garlic, and pepperoncini in a food processor until finely ground. Season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate until needed.

Step 2

Make the pasta: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and 1 tsp. salt; form a well in the center. Pour remaining oil, eggs and yolk, and 2 tbsp. water in well, and using a fork, slowly stir until flour is incorporated and dough forms. Transfer to a floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour.

Step 3

Divide dough into 6 equal pieces; working with 1 piece at a time, roll into a 1⁄8″-thick rope and cut rope into 2″ lengths. Place one end of each length on the end of a wooden skewer or pencil and roll on work surface until length wraps around skewer and forms a corkscrew.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat; working in batches, add pasta and cook, stirring, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1⁄4 cup cooking water, and transfer pasta to a large bowl along with pesto; toss to combine, adding a couple spoonfuls of cooking water, if needed, to create a smooth sauce. Transfer to a large serving platter or bowls and serve with more parmesan cheese.