Pesto alla Trapanese
Learn how to make a unique Tomato Pesto with Almonds from Trapani, Sicily! It's so easy and so delicious.
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 89kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup blanched almonds (I used slivered almonds)
- 2 large cloves garlic
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
- small handful fresh mint leaves (optional)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup shredded Pecorino cheese (see note)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound (454 grams) cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes (about 3 cups)
Equipment
Instructions
- Place almonds and garlic in food processor, then pulse until finely chopped.
- Add basil, mint (if using), olive oil, pecorino, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to almond mixture. Process until the ingredients form a rough sauce.
- Pulse cherry tomatoes into pesto sauce until finely chopped.
- Taste pesto, then season with additional salt to taste (I used 1 teaspoon total).
- Serve pesto with pasta, or refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy!
Notes
Servings - Recipe yields about 2 cups, enough for 1 pound pasta. One serving is considered 2 tablespoons (16 servings total).
Pairing with Pasta - Serve this tasty tomato pesto with busiate pasta (I used a 17.6. ounces / 500 gram package) to make the classic Sicilian dish Busiate alla Trapanese! You can also pair the sauce with other pasta twists, like gemelli or cavatappi. Cook the pasta in well-salted, boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain. Return the drained pasta to the pot (off heat), then add the pesto and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Mix well, adding more water only if needed. Taste, then season with additional salt before serving, if desired.
Cheese - This sauce is traditionally made with Pecorino Siciliano, which can be hard to find in the U.S. You can substitute Pecorino Romano, which has a sharper flavor. Parmesan cheese also works, or you can use a blend of Parmesan and Pecorino.
Other Uses - This Fresh Tomato Pesto is too delicious to save just for pasta! You can also serve it as a dip, as a pizza sauce, drizzled over cooked veggies or grain bowls, and more.
More - Check out the info before this recipe card for step by step photos, helpful tips, substitution ideas, and more!
Nutrition
Calories: 89kcal
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