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...
A good restaurant in Venice Italy that I can highly recommend is the Trattoria alla Vedova. My review explains why.
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.
If you are looking for a good restaurant in Padova, then we've just the place: a little family run restaurant serving traditional dishes in the old town.
A marvelous restaurant, no other restaurant in our Veneto and Venice Restaurant Guide can beat the Ristorante da Riccardo – Absolutely superb dining.
Explore Italy's pasta delights: from Liguria's Trofie to Sicily's Busiati, each region offers a unique taste of tradition. Plus, a free pasta map
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.
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.
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.
Spaghetti Bolognese does not exist in Italy; however, the real Italian version is far more delicious... and we have the recipe just for you.
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!
Authentic Veneto & Venice dining: Discover local restaurants that cater to residents, not tourists. Rarely featured in guidebooks, these are true treasures.
The most beloved gelato flavors across Italy, from creamy classics like pistachio to regional delights. Uncover the flavors that Italians can't get enough of
I love this Risotto Recipe. It was given to me by internationally acclaimed chef Viviane Bauquet Farre.
This polenta recipe is one hundred percent traditional. It is the way my nonna (granny) has made it for decades. You'll love it!
The Veneto Restaurants Guide selects some of our favorite restaurants in this region of Italy. The Irma Restaurant is the best for hearty country dishes.
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...
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.
Experience this traditional Italian asparagus recipe, rooted in the flavors of the Veneto region. This and more delectable Italian dishes are on our blog.
Discover the epitome of luxury in Venice. Explore my insider's guide to the best luxury hotels in Venice, where opulence meets elegance.
My mamma makes the BEST Italian meatballs recipe. Yes, the BEST. They are to die for, and if you don't believe me, try them yourself. Here is the recipe.
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.
Discover your dream Italian recipe with our quiz. Click to reveal your match!
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.
Gallina Ubriaca otherwise known as The Drunk Chicken Recipe, is one of my all-time favorite Italian recipes for chicken. It is from the Veneto region of Italy.
In the 13th century house where Romeo (of Romeo and Juliet fame) once lived exists an Osteria, the oldest in Verona.
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.