Author Notes: If you’ve never had aillade, the simple, sublime sauce of pounded nuts and garlic from southern France, then you’re in for a treat when making this pasta. And if you’ve had aillade, then you already know you’re in for a treat. Aside from the aillade, this pasta is so good because the pasta and asparagus are in perfect balance (no skimping on the vegetables here!) and the whole dish is zippy, bright, and bold in flavor. It can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold, making it perfect for toting to work or serving at spring picnics or potlucks. —EmilyC
Serves: 4 to 6
Ingredients
For the pasta:
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1
pound Casarecce pasta (fusilli also works well)
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1
tablespoon olive oil
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1
tablespoon butter
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3/4
cup thinly sliced spring onion (white parts only), or use 1 large shallot
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2
bunches asparagus (about 2 pounds), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
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3/4
teaspoon Piment d’Espelette, or to taste (other mild chile flakes can be substituted)
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Kosher salt, to taste
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3 to 4
tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 2 small lemons
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1
cup French or other mild-tasting feta, crumbled
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1/2
cup coarsely chopped tarragon
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1/2
cup coarsely chopped parsley
For pistachio aillade:
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1/2
cup unsalted shelled pistachios
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2
garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
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Kosher salt, to taste
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Grated zest of 1 lemon
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1/2
cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- To make the aillade, unshell the pistachios and cook them over medium heat just long enough to warm through, 2 to 3 minutes. With a mortar and pestle (or sharp knife or mini food processor), pound the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt until a paste forms. Add the pistachios and pound into small, irregularly shaped pieces. Stir in the lemon zest and olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add spring onion, asparagus pieces, piment d’espelette, and a few large pinches of kosher salt, stirring to evenly coat in the fat. Saute until crisp-tender, stirring often, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add lemon juice, starting with less and adding more, to taste. Adjust salt to taste.
- When pasta is done, drain (reserving about 1/2 cup of cooking water) and toss with the asparagus in the skillet (or in the pasta pot if the skillet isn’t large enough). Stir in about half of the pistachio aillade, and then add more, as needed, until the pasta is evenly coated. Add a few tablespoons of cooking water, as needed, to thin the sauce. Adjust acidity and seasoning to taste. Off the heat, add feta, tarragon, and parsley. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.
Photo by Ty Mecham