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A twist on charred tomato sauce pasta made with toasted walnuts, basil, and whole wheat spaghetti, this plant-based dish is comforting and unexpected all at once.
When I think of char, I can’t help but think of Lebanon. When I visited, I was intrigued by how food would be charred within an inch of its life and I saw it over and over again be it almonds for garnishes, eggplant for a dip, or onions for a stew.
Sure, I lightly toast food to amp up the crunch factor and nutty flavor, but taking it to that extra charred state lends a smoky almost bitter note to things.
I’m now hooked on all things char and have come to desire a hint of bitterness in my savory dishes. So, I took those toasted memories and came up with thisBurst Tomato Pasta with Charred Walnuts. One bite and I think it’s clear these under-appreciated tomatoes found their moment to shine.
Gostock up on all your cooking essentialsthen head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us bytagging@saltandwindand#swsocietyon social!
Burst Tomato Pasta with Charred Walnuts Recipe
A twist on charred tomato sauce pasta made with toasted walnuts, basil, and whole wheat spaghetti, this plant-based dish is comforting and unexpected all at once.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main, Noodles
Cuisine American, Italian
Diet Vegetarian
Servings 4
Calories 607 kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat or quinoa spaghetti
- 1 cup walnut halves shelled
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided, plus more for garnish
- 4 shallots sliced paper thin
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cloves garlic sliced paper thin
- 1 1/2 pounds whole cherry or grape tomatoes washed and thoroughly dried
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- unrefined granulated sugar optional
- 1 handful fresh basil or Italian parsley leaves thinly sliced
Instructions
Cook The Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat.
Meanwhile, place the walnuts in a dry small pan over medium heat and cook until they are dark golden brown and seriously toasted (you want them to be on the edge of being burnt but do not burn them)!
Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
8 ounces whole wheat or quinoa spaghetti, 1 cup walnut halves
Make The Burst Tomato Sauce: Meanwhile, add 2 tablespoons of the oil to a heavy-bottomed large skillet over medium-high heat.
When the oil shimmers, add the shallots, stir in a pinch of salt and a few cranks of pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 4 shallots, kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper
Add the remaining oil, add the garlic and tomatoes, stir to coat in oil, then cook covered, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to collapse, about 4 to 5 minutes. With the back of a spoon or a potato masher, carefully smash any tomatoes that haven't already collapsed.
Add 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and the pomegranate molasses to the pan and stir to incorporate any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Stir in butter until melted, taste, and add salt or sugar, as desired.
6 cloves garlic, 1 1/2 pounds whole cherry or grape tomatoes, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses, unrefined granulated sugar
Add the pasta and stir to coat with the sauce. Add remaining pasta water, as needed, so that the sauce delicately coats each strand of pasta.
Stir in walnuts and basil or parsley and toss to coat the pasta. Taste, add more salt and pepper or oil as desired and serve immediately.
1 handful fresh basil or Italian parsley leaves
PERSONAL NOTES
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Nutrition
Serving: 1 servingCalories: 607kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 15gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 19mgPotassium: 763mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1683IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 4mg
Keyword cherry tomato pasta, walnut pasta, whole wheat pasta
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!
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About The Author
Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert, author, chef, Food Network personality, and founder of the boutique travel company, In all that she does, Aida aims to help discerning travelers taste the world.
Posts By This Author →
Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert, author, chef, Food Network personality, and founder of the boutique travel company, In all that she does, Aida aims to help discerning travelers taste the world.
View Posts By This Author →
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