Although pricey, pine nuts are one of my favorite nuts to add to dishes. This nut, known as pignolo in Italy, pinhao in Portugal and Pinon in Spain is mild tasting in its raw form, but when it is toasted it takes on a very pleasant nutty taste. Even though they are expensive, a little goes a long way. I decided to pair the nuts with one of my favorite pastas. Pappardelle is sometimes hard to find and the price jumps all over the place. A one pound bag at the Fresh Market costs over $5.00. But at Trader Joe’s you can find it for $1.99. I have also found pappardelle at T.J. Max, believe it or not. My favorite kind of Pappardelle is one with ridged edges. It just looks so pretty on the plate.
I have been experimenting with lots of pasta dishes lately because we have tentative plans for a trip to Italy next year. It is always fun to set the stage, so to speak. I love this simple combination. You can’t get more Italian than pappardelle, prosciutto and pine nuts. The brown butter and lemons just bring it all together in a palate pleasing way. Oh, the alliteration!
This is a very easy dish to pull together. You can have it on the table in no time.
Earlier in the week, the temperatures in Lake Lure got down to the low 40’s overnight. The lake looked like this in the morning. The lake temperature and the air temperature created a smoke-like effect on the surface of the lake. I never tire of our view and the wonders of nature.
PAPPARDELLE WITH PINE NUTS, PROSCIUTTO AND BROWN BUTTER (Adapted from Gourmet)
3/4 pound pappardelle pasta
1 sticke (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 to 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into small pieces
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted lightly
thin lemon wedges as an accompaniment
Cook the pappardelle according to package directions in a pot of salted boiling water. While the pasta is cooking, in a skillet heat the butter over moderately high heat, swirling it, until it is golden brown, remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the lemon juice, the prosciutto, the parsley and the pine nuts. In a bowl toss the pappardelle with the butter sauce and salt and pepper to taste and serve it with the lemon wedges. Serves 6 as a first course and 3 to 4 as an entree.
this looks wonderful
Thank you Rebecca!
Yummy! That sounds wonderful! I didn’t know you guys were thinking about a trip to Italy! How fun. Have you emailed me? I emailed you a while back and didn’t get a response. I will try again.
Hugs
Penny
Yes, Penny. We are planning a trip to Italy. Will tell you all about it when I see you.
Pappardelle is one of my favorite pastas and I adore pinogli and prosciutto–alliterative and delicious.
Thanks Arlene. My favorites too.
This is my kind of meal, pine nuts and pasta are heaven together, and your pappardelle is beautiful!
Hi Sue, Pappardelle is so pretty when it is ridged.
Penny…the ingredients caught my eye. Sounds so good! Italy will be wonderful. I will never forget how beautiful Lake Lure is…and the fog…spectacular!
Jane xx
Jane, I am so sorry that we will miss you on this trip. Looking forward to Spring.
I buy my pine nuts at Costco – forget the price paid last time but they come in a huge bag and I use them often!
This looks so tasty – do you think it would still be good if I leave out the prosciutto Penny?
Great if you can visit Italy next year – I long to return as it’s a favorite. Back to Venezia definitely, and I would love to spend more time in Firenze – in fact anywhere in Tuscany!
Hugs – Mary
Mary, I am sure this would be wonderful even without the prosciutto! The brown butter makes it all work together. You could even add more vegies. Take care, Penny
Your pappradelle sounds scrumptious. I just made brown butter for my financiers and it just enhances the flavor. So worth it. I like those toasted pine nuts with angel hair pasta and feta. You are correct that you only need a spoonful or two. I put the rest in the freezer so they don’t go rancid.
If I were going to Italy I would try to work in a pasta class… my little fantasy.
M.
Hi Madonna, I am thinking of that pasta class. Hmmm . . . Will let you know. As to the brown butter, I absolutely love financiers and have made them several times with brown butter and almond flour. The French know how to make food taste fabulous. I have even been adding browned butter to my chocolate chip cookies.
I know, I hate the price of pine nuts too. I could add them to everything. We had a Trader Joe’s open nearby recently and after one trip through the aisles, I won’t be going back. Have heard the same thing from my friends. Much prefer Whole Foods. Will have to check price of their pine nuts. Costco may be the best deal.
Great looking pasta dish, Penny. Simple and elegant.
Hi Barbara, I prefer Whole Foods too. But there are certain things that I love to pick up at Trader Joe’s. Their fresh flowers are a steal and I love their curry sauces. They also have bagged kale that is great.
You have such a beautiful view Penny..
Hope you got to Italy..more beautiful views for you.
This dish looks perfect.I love pasta..and bread like you.
My desserts!
I wish I didn’t like my carbs so much Monique. We are looking forward to Italy, part of which will be in the Italian Alps and lake district.
Hi Penny. Still not getting your emails. Try lavenderhillstudio@att.net.
Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has trouble finding pappardelle. Of course, I’ve not looked at Trader Joes. And if I hadn’t had pasta 3 days already this week, I’d be making this tonight. Sounds delicious Penny.
Hi Lea Ann. If you have an Italian market anywhere nearby, they always have pappardelle.
Wasn’t that cold snap glorious being bookended by warm temps? I loved it. This pappardelle looks simple yet fantastic, perfect for the weeknights.
It looks like that cold snap has returned Chris. Time to light the fire again.
Hi Penny, this pasta dish looks amazing! love the picture of the lake with the smoke-like effect.
Thanks Cheri, Our lake was rated as one of the 10 most beautiful man-made lakes in the world by National Geographic. We are lucky to be here.
When I first saw the lake photo I thought it might be Italy since you mentioned a tentative trip 🙂 What a gorgeous scene!
I love pine nuts too and usually buy them at Sam’s Club in a big bag. I have to find the crinkled edge papparadelle – it is so pretty. Delicious recipe, Penny!
Thanks Susan. Someone else told us that Lake Lure looked like a lake in Switzerland. So I am anxious to see those Italian/Swiss lakes for sure.
I came back and noticed your spoon:)
I am on the hunt for a sugar sifter vintage spoon..some are selling these as them..Is it also that?
I don’t know!
Thank you..
Hi Monique, I just looked at some pictures of sugar sifter spoons and I too would love to have one. The spoon pictured is just a serving spoon that goes with the fork to be used as a salad set. They were a gift and came from this etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverSpoonful?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav
I have one like yours:)I searched last night..But it’s the pretty round sifters that looks so old that caught my eye on a blog:)
I am glad you like them too..
I hold an old small strainer over my small desserts:)The spoons just look so sweet.
What a sophisticated dish Penny. This would definitely get me in the mood for Italy. Your view of the lake is so pretty and I like that it’s close to Asheville.
Sam
We have the same morning fog – but over farm fields…. Not nearly as pretty. I love browned butter on pasta. Back when I was making pasta I always made extra just for that. Ah, Italy…. sigh….