Trofie al Pesto di Rucola Selvatica e Noci
Liguria — inland Liguria, winter alternative to basil pesto
An alternative pesto tradition from inland Liguria using wild rocket (rucola selvatica — more bitter and peppery than cultivated) combined with walnuts rather than pine nuts, garlic, Pecorino Sardo, and Ligurian olive oil. The wild rocket is not blanched — it is used raw, producing a more bitter, more peppery pesto than the basil version. Walnuts replace pine nuts as the fat component. This pesto is darker in colour (deep green-brown from the rucola), more assertive in flavour, and pairs particularly well with trofie or trenette. A winter pesto when basil is not available.