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Mario Unclogged: Pesto Pantesco

Posted by Mario Batali, September 20, 2007 at 3:00 PM

Pesto has always seemed perfect in September. The kind we eat in the U.S. is traditionally pesto Genovese, but stop the press! There are more kinds. Yes, more uncooked herb-based pasta condiments, from all over the fucking place.

Here is Pesto Pantesco. They make it on the island of Pantelleria, 70 kilometers due south of the Aegadian Islands just west of Trapani in Sicilia. No surprise they harvest the Rolls-Royce of capers in Pantelleria, and it is a groovy place for all good food and great water color.

Put this in your pipe and smoke it.

About the author: Mario Batali has created a thriving restaurant empire and has established himself as a top restaurateur. Together with his partner, Joe Bastianich, he operates seven New York City hotspots. Mario splits his time between New York City's Greenwich Village and northern Michigan with his wife Susan Cahn of Coach Dairy Goat Farm, and their two sons. More Mario: mariobatali.com.

Ziti With Spicy Pesto Pantesco and Pecorino Siciliano

Ingredients

1/2 cup mint leaves, picked
1/2 cup basil leaves, picked
1 cup parsley, picked
1/4 cup fennel fronds
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons salt packed capers, rinsed and drained
4 medium over-ripe plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
1 pound ziti pasta, preferably Italian
1 cup freshly grated pecorino

Procedure

1. Bring 6 quarts water to boil and add 2 tablespoons salt.

2. In a blender, place mint, basil, parsley, fennel fronds, garlic, capers, tomatoes, black pepper, red pepper and half the olive oil. Process in short bursts until roughly chopped. Turn blender on full and drizzle in remaining oil and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Remove pesto and place in a large serving bowl.

3. Cook pasta according to package instructions until just al dente and drain well. Toss drained pasta in serving bowl and toss like a salad to coat. Sprinkle with grated pecorino and serve.

View other entries from Mario Unclogged.

About the author: Mario Batali has created a thriving restaurant empire and has established himself as a top restaurateur. Together with his partner, Joe Bastianich, he operates seven New York City hotspots. Mario splits his time between New York City's Greenwich Village and northern Michigan with his wife, Susan Cahn, of Coach Dairy Goat Farm, and their two sons. More Mario: mariobatali.com.

6 Comments | Tags: Italian, Mario Batali, pasta, pesto, pesto Pantesco