A symphony of bright, contrasting colors greets the eye: plump, pink shrimp nestle on a bed of glistening, olive oil glossed spaghetti, speckled with delicate flecks of bright green ramp and warm gold lemon zest. A sprig of fresh basil, a dusting of Parmesan, and a the optional red chili flakes complete the picture. Every element of the dish is curated to look as vibrant and fresh as it tastes.

Ramp and Lemon Zested Shrimp Pasta

Name: Ramp and Lemon Zested Shrimp Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: fresh, large shrimp, 12 peeled and de-veined; fresh ramps, 12 cleaned and roots trimmed; spaghetti, 200 g; lemon, 1 zest and juice; garlic, 2 cloves minced; fresh basil leaves, 1 bunch (about 15 leaves) chiffonade; extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons; grated parmesan, 1/4 cup; red chili flakes, to taste; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Mediterranean

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: April 29, 2025

This delightful, Instagram-friendly main course brings a taste of the Mediterranean Sea to your plate with its combination of colorful, fragrant ingredients. Ramps, a seasonal wild leek that pops up in spring, add a garlicky touch and elevate the dish.

Ingredients (for 2)

Fresh, large shrimp - 12 - peeled and de-veined
Fresh ramps - 12 - cleaned and roots trimmed
Spaghetti - 200 g
Lemon - 1 - zest and juice
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Fresh basil leaves - 1 bunch (about 15 leaves) - chiffonade
Extra virgin olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Grated parmesan - 1/4 cup
Red chili flakes - to taste
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 💧🍲🔥

Begin boiling a large pot of salted water for your spaghetti.
Step 2 - 🍳🍈💚

In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the ramps and garlic until they are golden, yet still vibrant - about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Step 3 - 🍳🍤🌈

In the same skillet, sear the shrimp on both sides until pink. Remove and set aside with ramps and garlic.
Step 4 - 🍲🍝⏲️

Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until ‘al dente’. Drain, reserving some pasta water for later.
Step 5 - 🍳🍋🧹

Return the skillet to heat, add the lemon zest and juice, and deglaze it by scraping whatever bits have stuck to the bottom with a spatula.
Step 6 - 🍝🥣🌶️

Toss the spaghetti in the skillet, adding a bit of pasta water to create an emulsion with the olive oil and lemon juice. Add the ramps, garlic, shrimp, parmesan, and basil, and toss to combine well. Season with salt, pepper and chili flakes.
Step 7 - 🍽️🧀🌿

Plate your pasta, garnish with more Parmesan and basil, and serve immediately.

Additional

The key to this dish lies in its simplicity. Cooking ramps properly can bring out their unique flavor profile. Shrimp can be swapped out for chicken breast or tofu for dietary preferences. Also, children can help with cleaning the ramps, zesting the lemon and tearing up some basil leaves safely.