300gshelled dark green pistachio nuts, Sicilian or Persian ones are best
30gmint leaves, finely chopped
30gbasil leaves, finely chopped
200mlextra virgin olive oil
80gParmesan, finely grated
Instructions
For the pasta, in a large cooking pot, bring 4–5 litres water to the boil and add a fistful of salt.
Meanwhile, to make the pesto, using a pestle and mortar, pound the pistachio nuts to a crumb texture, then add the chopped herbs, extra virgin olive oil and grated Parmesan and stir to combine. If the mortar isn’t big enough, transfer the pistachio crumbs to a bowl and stir through the other ingredients, seasoning with salt to taste. (Alternatively, pulse the pistachios in a blender to crumbs, then add the remaining ingredients and whiz for a few seconds to combine.)
Put roughly 300g of pesto into a pan large enough to hold the cooked pasta as well and add half a mug (about 120ml) of the seasoned pasta water, along with the lemon zest and juice, to loosen it.
Drop the stracci into the boiling water and cook for about 1–1½ minutes. Drain the pasta as soon as it’s ready, keeping two mugs of pasta water.
Transfer the pasta to the pesto and stir over a medium heat with a spatula or wooden spoon for 30 seconds or so, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water to help the pasta and sauce come together. You are looking to achieve that nice creamy consistency, not too wet and not too dry. Taste and adjust the seasoning if required.
Serve the pasta on hot plates and eat immediately.
Notes
Also works with: fresh tagliarini, fettuccine; dried linguine, spaghetti, bucatini, penne, fusilli