Ingredients
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16 Calamata olives (pitted)
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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Zest of 1 lemon (minced)
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3-inch strip of orange zest (minced)
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
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½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
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1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
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Kosher salt
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½ pound imported dried pappardelle
Directions
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Fill a stockpot with 6 quarts of water, cover and bring to a boil.
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Meanwhile, in a mini-processor, combine the olives, olive oil, lemon and orange zests, red pepper, parsley, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse until very fine but not pureed. Transfer the paste to a warm serving bowl.
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Add 3 1/2 tablespoons salt to the boiling water and add the pappardelle. Cover partially until the water just returns to a boil, then uncover, stir the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain well, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
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Toss the pappardelle with the olive paste, adding some of the pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary. Serve immediately.
Suggested Pairing
Try a bold red from southern Italy, such as a Primitivo di Manduria. For a white, choose a great Verdicchio.