This is a recipe that I made on the same day that I read it on Paola’s blog, because I happened to have all the ingredients, and needed to use up the carrots. What better recipe to use for such an occasion than one of Paola’s, as she specializes in recipes to prevent throwing away food.
It is fun to realize that I am typing this post in Calabria, 11 hours by car south-east of Paola. Usually she is 11 hours by car south-east of me!
The combination of carrots and almonds is very nice, and the sage adds a nice touch. For a vegan dish this has a lot of flavor. This is a simple dish with a small amount of ingredients, that can be prepared in the time it takes to boil the pasta.
Ingredients
For 2 servings
200 grams (.44 lb) short pasta, I used wholewheat penne
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
40 grams (4 Tbsp) almonds
4 sage leaves
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
salt
Instructions
Bring a pot of water to a boil. When the water boils, add salt and the pasta, and cook for the time indicated on the package for al dente. Meanwhile, make the sauce.
Chop the almonds coarsely and toast them briefly. They should be golden but not burnt. I did this in a pan as it was too hot to heat up the oven when I prepared this, but it is a lot easier to do it in the oven (8 to 10 minutes at 180C/350F). Toasting the almonds is the main change I made to Paola’s recipe. It gives more flavor to the almonds, which may be more necessary for me as the almonds are not as good as the ones you can get in Italy.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a frying pan and add the sliced carrots and sage leaves. Stir over high heat until carrots and sage are coated with the oil. Then season with salt and turn down the heat…
…and add a bit of pasta cooking water.
Cover the pan and allow the carrots to cook over low heat. If you sliced them in the right thickness, they will be tender but still firm to the bite by the time the pasta is done.
Drain the pasta and add to the carrots. Add the toasted almonds as well.
Toss to mix. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt.
Serve on preheated plates. Drizzle with very good extra virgin olive oil.
I agree with Paola’s suggestion not to serve this with parmigiano. It is not needed and would cover the delicate flavor of the carrots and almonds.
Flashback
Pasta with butternut squash and gorgonzola. The sweetness of the pumpkin works very well with the pungent blue cheese.
Very nice! Love the almonds and sage.
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Wow look scrumptious
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So easy that it deserve for sure a try! I hope even my little ones will like it!
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Beautiful flavors. I would be tempted to add a mild cheese, but I agree it’s best to let the carrots etc. shine. If you enjoy ww penne, try chickpea penne by banza pasta. It’s hearty and healthy, like ww.
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Thank you! With a busy work weekend coming up and all ingredients present and correct, you have just removed a ‘?’ menu-wise – so my kind of food. The sage I would not have thought of is a welcome addition . . . hope Calabria is treating you well !
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Grazie Stefan! Felice che ti sia piaciuta. E adesso, quanti chilometri ci separano? Chi sta più su? 😉
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Allora di meno, perché siamo alla Costiera Amalfitana.
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Uno dei posti più belli e più romantici del mondo …
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