A visually stunning plate of twirled lemony linguine, with deliciously charred fig halves and crispy prosciutto shards scattered about. The garnish of fresh basil leaves adds a pop of green, and tiny specks of red chili give a hint of heat. The pasta is dusted with finely grated Parmesan, providing a lovely white contrast against the colorful backdrop.

Linguine al Limone with Sautéed Figs and Prosciutto

Name: Linguine al Limone with Sautéed Figs and Prosciutto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: figs, 6 halved; linguine, 200g uncooked; prosciutto slices, 4 torn into pieces; garlic cloves, 2 minced; lemon, 1 zest and juice; extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp none; parmesan, 60g finely grated; fresh basil leaves, a handful torn; red chili flakes, a pinch none; salt, to taste none; black pepper, to taste freshly ground

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Italian

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Mediterranean

Daily Recipe: August 19, 2024

This bright and sophisticated pasta dish marries the savory wonders of Italian cooking with the unique sweetness of figs. These late summer gems are in season and bring an unexpected but delightful twist to a classic pasta dish.

Ingredients (for 2)

Figs - 6 - halved
Linguine - 200g - uncooked
Prosciutto slices - 4 - torn into pieces
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Lemon - 1 - zest and juice
Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp - none
Parmesan - 60g - finely grated
Fresh basil leaves - a handful - torn
Red chili flakes - a pinch - none
Salt - to taste - none
Black pepper - to taste - freshly ground

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍲🍝💦

Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the linguine until al dente, then drain while reserving a cup of pasta water.
Step 2 - 🍳🔥🥓

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add prosciutto and cook until crispy, then set aside.
Step 3 - 🍳🧄🍈

In the same pan, add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the figs, cut side down, and cook until slightly charred.
Step 4 - 🔥🍋💧

Reduce heat to low and add lemon zest and juice. Gradually add pasta water until the figs create a slightly thickened sauce.
Step 5 - 🍝🧀🌶️

Add cooked linguine, the crispy prosciutto, and half of the Parmesan to the pan. Toss well, adding more water if needed. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Step 6 - 🍽️🧀🌿

Serve immediately, garnishing with the rest of the Parmesan and torn basil leaves.

Additional

If you want to go vegan, swap out the prosciutto for sun-dried tomatoes and the Parmesan for vegan cheese. This recipe can also go gluten-free by replacing regular linguine with gluten-free one. Engage children by letting them help with tearing the basil leaves!