Almond Pesto Pasta with Confit Cherry Tomatoes and Primosale Cheese

Pasta with Almond Pesto and Confit Cherry Tomatoes
Category: First Courses
Servings: 4

This delicious pasta dish combines the rich, nutty flavor of almond pesto with the sweet, savory notes of confit cherry tomatoes. It’s a light yet flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Confit Cherry Tomatoes:

   • Preheat your oven to 120°C (248°F) with the fan on.
   • Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Place them on a baking tray, cut side up.
   • Sprinkle a little sugar over the tomatoes, season with salt, and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.
   • Roast in the oven for about 2 hours, or until the tomatoes have shriveled and caramelized. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

2. Toast the Almonds:

   • In a dry skillet, toast the sliced almonds over low heat for about 4 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
   • Once toasted, remove from heat and set aside.

3. Make the Pesto:

   • Once the cherry tomatoes have cooled, transfer them to a blender or food processor.
   • Add the toasted almonds, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, a pinch of black pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
   • Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of olive oil to reach the desired consistency. Set the pesto aside.

4. Cook the Pasta:

   • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne rigate according to the package instructions.
   • Once the pasta is al dente, reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.

5. Combine the Pasta and Pesto:

   • In a separate pan, warm up the pesto over low heat and thin it out with a bit of the reserved pasta water, adding it gradually until you get a smooth sauce.
   • Add the cooked pasta to the pesto sauce and toss gently to combine, making sure the pasta is well coated.

6. Assemble the Dish:

   • Stir in the Taggiasca olives and cube the primosale cheese, adding it to the pasta along with the confit cherry tomatoes.
   • Mix everything together gently and season with extra black pepper if needed.

7. Serve:

   • Serve the pasta warm, drizzling with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired, and enjoy this delightful dish of pasta with almond pesto and confit cherry tomatoes!

This dish is the perfect combination of flavors: the creamy, nutty pesto, sweet tomatoes, and the tangy freshness of the olives and cheese. Enjoy it as a light yet satisfying first course for a family dinner or any special occasion.