Ingredients
• 400g zucchini (preferably small young zucchinis)
• 400g tagliatelle pasta
• 100ml extra virgin olive oil
• 100ml pure cream
• Basil leaves, to garnish
• Hazelnuts, to garnish
Basil hazelnut pesto
• 200g basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 5 large bunches)
• 60g flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped (about 2 large bunches)
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 60g hazelnuts, lightly toasted, skins removed
• 150g parmesan, finely grated
• Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season
• 220ml extra virgin olive oil
Method
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To make basil hazelnut pesto, put herbs and garlic in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process for 5 seconds. Add hazelnuts and parmesan and season.
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Process mixture, drizzling oil in a steady stream, until a smooth paste forms. Taste mixture and season again if necessary. Set aside.
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Trim ends off zucchinis, then, using a large knife or mandolin, slice lengthways 3mm thick, to form ribbons.
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Finely slice zucchini ribbons lengthways to make long spaghetti-like strips. Set aside.
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Cook pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water, and set aside.
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Meanwhile, put oil, cream and pesto in a large frying pan over a medium heat and cook, stirring, until hot. Add cooked pasta and toss, then add zucchini strips and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Arrange on plate and garnish with basil leaves and hazelnuts to serve.