Spaghetti with Lemon from the Amalfi Coast

Postcards from Positano

I’ve never tasted this pasta dish until I toured the Amalfi coast, the southern coast of Italy in 2009 and every household would have a lemon tree for making their famous Limoncello (liqueur made out of lemon zest) and for pasta and seafood.

Town of Positano

Town of Positano

Limoncello at markets

Limoncello at markets

Roadside market

Roadside market

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed in the town of Positano where the scenery is breathtaking and food is fresh from the vines and the sea. Try this easy recipe and its summer in a bowl. It can be a great main dish on pasta nights or as a side dish with grilled vegetables or meat or fish. Your family will love this classic recipe, giving a change from tomato or cream sauces.

Spaghetti Al Limone from Positano

Spaghetti al Limone

Spaghetti al Limone

Prep time 5 min                Cooking time 8 min         Serves 6 (as a side dish)

Ingredients

450 g spaghetti (dry pasta)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

3 green onions, finely chopped

2 lemons, juiced and zest grated separately

2 tbsp capers (optional)

½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

4 tbsp grated parmesan

Freshly ground pepper

Salt for taste

2 tbsp chopped parsley

2 tbsp chopped basil

¼ cup pasta water (save it before you drain the pasta)

Method

  1. In a small bowl whisk together:  3 tbsp olive oil, the lemon juice, lemon zest, freshly ground pepper and salt for taste, parmesan and mix well and keep aside
  2. In a stock pot cook the spaghetti according to package direction – keep it al dente and warm (firm but not hard) *Save ¼ cup of pasta water for sauce. **Do not run cold water on the pasta after it’s been drained
  3. In the same stock pot – heat  1 tbsp of olive oil and add garlic and sauté, then add chili and green onions and sauté  – do not overcook, we just want the green onion softened a bit
  4. Add capers and turn off the heat and add lemon juice mixture and mix
  5. Toss the spaghetti with the lemon sauce little at a time, if its dry add pasta water, little at a time until you get the consistency you want and fold in the parsley and basil
  6. The pasta should taste lemony and fresh – if you like sprinkle more parmesan on top and serve immediately as it should be served warm

Nutritional Analysis per 1 serving as a side dish: 150 g (5 oz): Calories 207; Carbohydrate 24g; Fibre 1g; Fat 9g; Saturated fat 10g; Sodium 100 mg; Protein 5g

 

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