Italian
Pasta with Sorrento Tomatoes (Cold Summer Pasta)
by Chef Max Mariola · 1.1M subscribers on YouTube
A cold summer pasta made with Sorrento tomatoes, a Campanian delicacy. The pasta is dressed with a gently cooked base of garlic, red onion, and basil stems, then mixed with fresh tomato slices, Parmigiano Reggiano, and basil. Served at room temperature.
- Cook
- 8 min
- Difficulty
- easy
Ingredients
11 items- Spaghettone QuadratoCan be substituted with other long pasta shapes
- Fresh GarlicFresh garlic, any variety
- Red OnionUse a sweet red onion
- Chili Pepper(optional) — Fresh or dried, to taste
- BasilFresh, leaves and stems used separately
- Parmigiano Reggiano (Stagionato 24 Mesi) o Grana PadanoAged at least 24 months
- Sorrento TomatoLarge, heavy, full-flavored; substitute with good salad tomatoes if unavailable
- Extra Virgin Olive OilUse high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- SaltFine sea salt
- Black Pepper(optional) — Freshly ground
- WaterFor cooking pasta and for the base
Method
- Prepare the ingredients: separate basil leaves from stems; thinly slice red onion; cut fresh garlic into large pieces.
- In a large pan, heat abundant extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, basil stems, and sliced onion. Add a ladle of water and cook gently to extract flavors without browning.
- While the base cooks, cut the Sorrento tomatoes into thick slices.
- Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente (about 8 minutes).
- Remove the basil stems and garlic from the pan.
- Place the tomato slices in a large bowl. Pour the onion-oil mixture over the tomatoes. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh chili (or dried). Add torn basil leaves. Mix gently.
- Drain the pasta al dente and transfer it to the bowl with tomatoes. Add grated Parmigiano Reggiano (aged 24 months) and a drizzle of pasta cooking water. Mix carefully to create a creamy emulsion.
- Let the pasta rest for a moment before serving. Garnish with more basil and black pepper.
- Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Pair with a chilled rosé wine.
Chef Max Mariola
Professional chefReviewer1.1M subscribers on YouTube400.6M total channel viewsChef italiano. Ricette cucinate a casa, focus completo sulle ricette.
