Spaghetti with Pine Nuts & Raisins

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pine Nuts

   3 min hands-on

   • Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat.
   • Add the pine nuts and toast until golden and aromatic.
   • Remove from the pan immediately and set aside.

2. Chop and Prep Ingredients

   5 min hands-on

   • Thinly slice the garlic.
   • Finely chop the fresh parsley, reserving leaves for garnish.
   • Halve the tomatoes and set aside.

3. Cook the Pasta

   2 min hands-on12 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the whole-grain spaghetti until al dente.
   • Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.

4. Start the Sauce Base

   2 min hands-on

   • Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
   • Add sliced garlic, cayenne pepper, and parsley stalks.
   • Sauté for 2–3 minutes until garlic is fragrant.

5. Cook the Tomatoes

   4 min hands-on2 min waiting

   • Add halved tomatoes to the pan.
   • Cook for 3–4 minutes, pressing to release juices.
   • Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly.

6. Add Sweet and Savory Elements

   1 min hands-on2 min waiting

   • Stir in golden raisins, capers, and vinegar.
   • Mix thoroughly and simmer for 2 minutes.

7. Incorporate Pasta Water

   2 min hands-on

   • Gradually add reserved pasta water, stirring to emulsify.
   • Adjust sauce consistency to lightly coat the back of a spoon.

8. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   1 min hands-on

   • Add drained spaghetti to the pan.
   • Toss to coat pasta evenly with sauce.
   • Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

9. Finish with Herbs and Nuts

   1 min hands-on

   • Sprinkle chopped parsley leaves over the pasta.
   • Add toasted pine nuts and mix gently.
   • Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.

10. Serve the Dish

    2 min hands-on

    • Transfer pasta to serving plates or a platter.
    • Optionally garnish with olive oil or cayenne pepper.
    • Serve immediately and enjoy.
    • Cooking tips:
    • Toast the pine nuts carefully—once they start to brown, they can burn quickly. Remove them from the pan as soon as they're golden.
    • Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. If unavailable, canned whole tomatoes can be used as a substitute; just chop them before adding.
    • For a perfectly glossy sauce, add pasta water gradually. The starch in the water helps emulsify the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
    • Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity based on your heat preference. You can also omit it for a milder dish.