Spaghetti with Wild Rocket
To prepare a delicious wild arugula pasta recipe, the first essential step is to take care of the arugula leaves. They should be washed thoroughly under a stream of cold water, but to ensure that all impurities and sand are completely removed, it is recommended to let them sit for a few minutes in a bowl of cold water with a teaspoon of baking soda. This procedure will not only clean the arugula but also keep it fresh.
Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large pot. When the water reaches boiling point, add the pasta and coarse salt according to the package instructions. It is important to respect the indicated cooking time, as the pasta should be al dente to have a pleasant texture. For example, my pasta boiled for about 5 minutes.
In the last minutes of boiling, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a clove of garlic, peeled but slightly crushed with the blade of a knife, to the pan. This technique will allow the garlic to release its aroma into the oil without burning, so it is essential to keep the flame at a very low level.
When the pasta is almost ready, in the last 20-30 seconds, add the arugula leaves to the pot with the pasta and stir gently. The arugula will be just slightly blanched, thus retaining its specific aroma and not becoming soft and tasteless. After the cooking time has elapsed, drain the pasta and arugula through a colander.
Then, pour the pasta and arugula into the pan with the garlic-flavored oil. Immediately turn off the flame to prevent further cooking of the arugula. Mix everything well, ensuring that the pasta is evenly coated with the aromatic oil. The garlic is now ready to be removed, as it has enriched the dish with its aroma, so we take it out of the pan and discard it.
To add a delicious finishing touch, we can grate some cheese on top, either parmesan or grana, which will add a savory flavor and creamy texture. It is the perfect time to serve the pasta warm, garnished with wild arugula, thus giving it an attractive appearance and exceptional taste. This dish is perfect for a quick yet elegant dinner, being an ideal combination of the simple flavors of fresh ingredients.
Ingredients: For 2 servings: 130-150 g of spaghetti, 2 handfuls of wild arugula leaves, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil), salt, grated Parmesan or Grana Padano (optional)
