Nonna's Spaghetti with Clams & Pistachio Pesto
I'm not sure if you've been to the seaside in Italy. If you have, you'll no doubt recall sitting outside at a little family-run trattoria, the scent of the sea, and the delicious aromas of seafood dishes bubbling away in the kitchen.
Those memories are to be treasured forever. Short of going back to a little Italian seaside town, the best way I know of to bring those memories flooding back is to cook this dish.
Inhale the aromas, take that first bite, and you're back in Italy. Listen carefully, and you might even hear nonna chatting away in lovely broken English about how this dish is a family tradition. In the background, there's the sound of the sea and the bambini laughing outside after having been chased from the kitchen by nonna and her fearsome wooden spoon.
Ready to start the journey and treat your tastebuds? Ready to experience the passion of Italy in every bite? Here then is our nonna's recipe for spaghetti with clams and pistachio pesto, and don't tell nonna I've shared this family secret with you... or she'll be after me with that wooden spoon.
Ingredients for 2/3 people
8,8 oz/250g of spaghetti
3,5 oz/100 g pistachios (peeled and not toasted)
1,5 oz/35 g of parmigiano cheese
6/7 basil leaves
grated zest of half a lemon
1 pinch of salt (+ 2 handfuls of salt to cook pasta)
1 tsp. of black pepper
1/2 cup/100 ml olive oil
1 clove of garlic
1/2 cup of white wine
1 lb/500 g of clams
a handful of fresh parsley
Directions
- Start by making the pistachio pesto: in a bowl, add pistachios, parmesan, fresh basil, grated zest of half a lemon, 1 pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and, gradually, the olive oil (add some of the cooking water from the pasta to make it lighter).
- Blend everything with an immersion blender. While the pistachio In the meantime, add 2 handfuls of salt to the boiling water and pour in the spaghetti.
- In a pan, brown a clove of garlic in some olive oil, add the clams (just leave them in a bowl with some salted water for 1 hour to clean them).
- Add 1/2 glass of white wine, and cook it covered until all the clams are open (4/5 minutes); drain the clams and keep their sauce for later.
- In the same pan, add the spaghetti ‘al dente’, the filtered clams’ sauce, and mantecare (stir the pasta with the sauce).
- Turn off the burner, add the pistachio pesto, a little bit of cooking water, the clams, and a handful of chopped fresh parsley.
Mix all together, serve, and enjoy!
Video
Print Recipe
Please Book with Us... Maria here, if you enjoy my site I'd love your support.
Simply book your next trip anywhere (not only to Italy) via the link below or with any of the hotel links on the website.
You'll get the best deal available and the income I receive helps me to remain independent and to keep bringing you more of beautiful Italy.
Click to Begin
You'll Enjoy These...
Spaghetti Bolognese does not exist in Italy; however, the real Italian version is far more delicious... and we have the recipe just for you.
It took me years to get my aunt Rosalinda to share her authentic Sicilian cannoli recipe but... at last... I can let you in on the secret.
Every Italian grandmother has her own particular special touch that makes her gnocchi recipe the best in Italy. This is, though, the best gnocchi recipe ever!
We have an abundance of quick easy chicken recipes and other great Italian recipes on the site. All are authentic, easy to make and delicious of course!
The Ristorante Antico Dolo is a great restaurant in Venice Italy. Located in a 15th century building, this is one of the top restaurants in Venice.
Need a good restaurant in Padova? Well, we've discovered just the place: a little family run restaurant serving traditional dishes in the heart of the old town.
In the 13th century house where Romeo (of Romeo and Juliet fame) once lived exists an Osteria, the oldest in Verona.
Can't get to Italy? Then bring a little Italy to wherever you are in this great big wonderful world with our Aperol spritz recipe: it turns anywhere into Italy!
The Lake Garda Restaurant Guide features many restaurants around Lake Garda. This restaurant, though, is the best of all Lake Garda restaurants.
A good restaurant in Venice Italy that I can highly recommend is the Trattoria alla Vedova. My review explains why.
The Antica Amelia Bistrot is one of the restaurants in Verona that I would recommend. Our guide to the best restaurants in Veneto and Venice Italy features...
These Veneto & Venice restaurants don’t cater for the tourist trade but to locals and you won’t find many of these restaurants in any guide book.
If you're in search of the perfect tiramisu recipe, look no further. This one is dolce heaven and 100% authentic. A true taste of Italy.
Discover the great cuisine of the Veneto and Italy with us. You simply have to try our Cannoli recipe.. and hear the amazing story behind the recipe.
Not only do we have some superb recipes but we have the most mouthwatering Italian food photos you have ever seen.
Looking for a good restaurant near Garda? Then you need look no further than theTre Camini. Housed in a 16th century farmhouse near the foot of Mount Baldo.
Discover the epitome of luxury in Venice. Explore my insider's guide to the best luxury hotels in Venice, where opulence meets elegance.
A lovely recipe for Authentic Italian Cookies from Italy, these cookies are great to dip into coffee and are a perfect breakfast treat.
The Venice Italy Restaurants Guide features some of the best restaurants in Venice. The Osteria Anice Stellato is one such...
The best Sardine recipe is from Venice Italy. It is not difficult to make and is known as Sarde in Saor. Sour Sardines in English. Sounds weird. Tastes great
Experience this traditional Italian asparagus recipe, rooted in the flavors of the Veneto region. This and more delectable Italian dishes are on our blog.
I love this Risotto Recipe. It was given to me by internationally acclaimed chef Viviane Bauquet Farre.
I am Italian and here is the way I have always made lasagna. It is the way my mother taught me. This homemade lasagna recipe is something my family really love.
Italy has some of the best recipes on earth, from Venice to Sardinia and I have begun a search to discover the best Italian recipe. This is the result…
Visiting Venice? Want to explore a little of the wonderful Veneto region in which Venice is located? Then our Veneto and Venice itinerary is just what you need.
More Travel Tips:
- Book your tickets to museums and other attractions in advance on Tiqets.com
- Book your accommodation. Booking.com and Agoda help you to book accommodation in advance
- Book your excursions. Wherever you go, make the most of your time! Excursions with professional guides will help you do this - choose a location and the best option for yourself on Viator or Getyourguide
- Book your car. At least a month before is best. Use Discover Car Hire.
- Cash Back on Flights: Great deals & money back with WayAway
- Get peace of mind when traveling. Get insured with VisitorsCoverage.com
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.