Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut: Pasta Noci

I love nuts of every kind.

Some people say I am nuts, and I am ok with that.

Walnuts are super healthy, and have cholesterol lowering Omega 3 in them, did you know that?

I have been wanting to try this pesto type of pasta sauce for some time, and the only reason I chose it for last night was because I almost had nothing in the house.

I found a few recipes on different sites and changed it to my liking.
If you love nuts, like I do, then this is for you, and it's easy too!
It's kind of rich, as if there was cheese in the sauce, but there isn't.

Pasta Noci: (Pasta w/ Walnut Sauce)

1/3 cup of walnuts
1/3 cup of pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 anchovies, chopped
dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 box of dried pasta
1/2 cup of pasta water
zest of a lemon
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley



Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and cook your pasta.

While your pasta is cooking, make the walnut sauce.
Pulse the nuts together in a food processor. They will be kind of wet from the oils released from the nuts.

In a heavy skillet, large enough to hold the pasta too, heat your olive oil and add the anchovies, garlic, red pepper flakes and nut mixture.



Cook on medium heat until nuts and garlic are fragrant. The anchovies will dissolve into the sauce. Don't leave them out, trust me.
After about 5 minutes, remove the sauce from the heat.

Drain the pasta and don't forget to save 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water!

Add the pasta to the walnut sauce and mix together.
Add the reserved pasta water, lemon zest and fresh parsley to the pan and combine.

Serve immediately.



Yummy.