Orecchiette With Squash, Chiles, And Hazelnuts

Serves: 2

Presley Zulauf

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

54

Sweetness

47

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tbsps

Olive Oil

Directions:

1

Preheat oven to 350°F

2

Spread out hazelnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes

3

Let cool, then coarsely chop; set aside

4

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 5 minutes for fresh pasta)

5

Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid

6

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

7

Add squash and cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes

8

Add garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, just until garlic begins to brown, about 2 minutes

9

Immediately add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to keep garlic from burning; reduce heat to low and gradually add butter, swirling skillet and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a thick, glossy sauce forms

10

Add pasta to skillet with squash and sauce and toss to coat

11

Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 2 tablespoons mint, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper

12

Serve pasta topped with reserved hazelnuts, more Parmesan, and remaining 2 tablespoons mint

13

DO AHEAD: Hazelnuts can be toasted 5 days ahead

14

Store airtight at room temperature

15

Preheat oven to 350°F

16

Spread out hazelnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes

17

Let cool, then coarsely chop; set aside

18

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 5 minutes for fresh pasta)

19

Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid

20

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

21

Add squash and cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes

22

Add garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, just until garlic begins to brown, about 2 minutes

23

Immediately add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to keep garlic from burning; reduce heat to low and gradually add butter, swirling skillet and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a thick, glossy sauce forms

24

Add pasta to skillet with squash and sauce and toss to coat

25

Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 2 tablespoons mint, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper

26

Serve pasta topped with reserved hazelnuts, more Parmesan, and remaining 2 tablespoons mint

27

DO AHEAD: Hazelnuts can be toasted 5 days ahead

28

Store airtight at room temperature