Pistachio Pesto Pasta
- Easy
- 20 min
The protagonist of this recipe has the shape of a small cannellini bean, is of an intense emerald green color, and is protected by a woody shell and its purplish skin. We are talking about one of Sicily's symbols: the pistachio. From this precious dried fruit used in cooking as a snack, for desserts, and for decorations, you can also obtain a rich and intense pistachio pesto, a variation of the great Ligurian classic. Today we propose to make it as a condiment for gluten-free pasta with pistachio pesto, shrimp, and sun-dried tomatoes. A Mediterranean recipe with intense colors and a taste that will not disappoint your expectations, thanks to a mix of flavors ranging from sharp to enveloping. It is said that green has the power to evoke peace and balance, with this gluten-free pasta with pistachio pesto, shrimp, and sun-dried tomatoes you will be sure to enjoy well-balanced flavors that will conquer you from the first forkful!
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To prepare the gluten-free pasta with pistachio pesto, shrimp, and sun-dried tomatoes, start by removing the skin from the unsalted shelled pistachios by placing them in a container with very hot water 1 and let them soak for 10-15 minutes 2. This process will help you remove the skin, thus obtaining a very light green pesto. After the time has elapsed, remove the skin from each pistachio 3.
Once the pistachios are dried, put them in the mixer 4 and blend until you get granules (set aside two tablespoons for the final decoration) 5 and then continue by adding the garlic clove and basil 6.
add the extra virgin olive oil 7 and lactose-free cooking cream 8 and blend until you get a smooth cream, then adjust the salt 9.
Set aside the pistachio pesto 10 and then move on to the sun-dried tomatoes: put them in the mixer 11 and blend until you get crunchy crumbs 12 that you will keep aside for the final seasoning.
Then proceed with cleaning the shrimp tails: remove the shell 13 then remove the dark central filament, using a toothpick 14 to slightly lift the intestine and remove it with your fingers. This way, you will clean the tails without experiencing the bitter aftertaste of the filament. Remove the stem from a fresh chili pepper and chop it with a knife 15.
then put it in a pan with the extra virgin olive oil and a garlic clove 16, let it flavor for a few moments, then add the shrimp tails 17. After a few minutes of cooking, adjust the salt and remove the garlic clove 18.
Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water following the cooking instructions on the package 19, and in the meantime put the pistachio pesto in a pan, diluting with a little pasta cooking water 20 and stir off the heat 21.
When the pasta is cooked, drain it and put it directly into the pan with the pesto 22, also add the cooked shrimp tails 23 and the blended sun-dried tomatoes 24.
To complete, grate the peel of an untreated lemon 25 and the two tablespoons of pistachio pesto you had set aside earlier 26, mix well, and finally serve your gluten-free pasta with pistachio pesto, shrimp, and sun-dried tomatoes still hot 27!