Photo: ricette.donnamoderna.com

Presentation

First course prepared with spaghetti, tomato, pecorino cheese. Almonds, basil, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and salt.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Tomatoes – 500 g (17.6 oz / ≈ 3 cups chopped)

Semolina pasta (durum wheat) – 280 g (9.9 oz / ≈ 10 oz / about 4 servings)

Pecorino cheese (for grating) – 100 g (3.5 oz / ≈ 1 cup grated)

Peeled almonds – 50 g (1.8 oz / ≈ ⅓ cup)

Fresh basil – 1 bunch (≈ 20 g / 0.7 oz / ≈ 1 packed cup leaves)

Garlic clove – 1 clove

Extra-virgin olive oil – 4 tablespoons (60 ml / 2 fl oz)

Salt – to taste (≈ ½ teaspoon)

Method

Wash a handful of fresh basil leaves, drain it and put it in the mixer together with 50 g of peeled almonds and 1 clove of peeled garlic.

Blend everything by adding 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, put the mixture obtained in a bowl and incorporate 100 g of grated pecorino cheese.

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.

Wash 500 g of ripe tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for a moment, then drain them and pass them under cold water.

Peel them, remove the seeds, chop them with a knife, then add them to the already prepared almond and basil pesto.

Dip 280 g of durum wheat semolina pasta in boiling salted water, drain it al dente, season it with the prepared pesto.

A handful of dried tomatoes, softened in warm water and finely chopped, can enrich this Trapani pesto.

Allergens

Garlic: very rare cases of garlic reactivity reported

Basil: possible cross-reaction in case of allergy to parietaria or spices

Almonds: included among the allergens in EU Regulation 1169/2011; it has cross-reactivity in case of allergy to Birch and Gramineae.

Extra virgin olive oil: unusual allergy; intolerance not described

Pasta: contains gluten from cereals included in EU Regulation 1169/2011

Pecorino: milk allergens

Tomatoes: possible cross-reaction in case of sensitivity to grasses

Notes

To be prepared and handled under strict hygienic conditions.

The ingredients of the dish bring the following benefits:

Garlic: has immune-stimulating properties, promotes liver function and the elimination of waste metabolites. It also has hypocholesterolemic, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, hypotensive and hypoglycemic properties that promote cardiac function.

Basil: rich in carotenoids that support the immune system and due to the content of mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants acts to protect the cardiovascular system and the functioning of the liver

Almonds: they are a source of Vitamin E which protects the immune system from harmful fatty acids and mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants that act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Also useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. Rich in magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids important for regulating mood and cognitive function

Extra virgin olive oil: source of Vitamin E that protects the immune system from harmful fatty acids

Pasta: if produced with wholemeal flour, which provides zinc, an element favorable to the proper functioning of the immune system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Cereals stimulate the synthesis of serotonin which counteracts depression and promotes good mood

Pecorino: useful for the proper functioning of the liver if matured . The presence of tryptophan helps to counteract depression

Tomato: rich in vitamin C, the antioxidant par excellence that fights free radicals and supports the immune system, and provides mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants that act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. Especially if consumed with the peel, it provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

Salt: essential for the balance of body fluids and for the transmission of nerve impulses, it is however to be consumed respecting the limit of 5 g per day according to the indications of the WHO so as not to promote arterial hypertension and consequent increase in the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases starting from myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke; to be limited as much as possible in the case of nephropathy.

Safety / Intended use

Product also intended for subjects with:

• Constipation,
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mucositis only in the case of pasta and very cooked vegetables

In case of Dysphagia (problems with chewing and swallowing) administer only if cut into small, soft pieces.

Not recommended in case of:

• Diarrhea