Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce

Spaghetti and Macaroni are favorites with basically all economic stratas of South African society. The poorer sections using the pasta as a cheap way to bulk out limited meat availability while trhe more affluent use the more traditional Italian sauces.

The word pesto derives from pestare, to step on or mash, and therefore can be applied to a number of different sauces. However, to an Italian the word PESTO by itself means the classic Ligurian summer sauce made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese. To serve 4 to 6 as a first course or 4 as a main course with a tossed salad you will need:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh basil leaves – tightly packed
¼ cup grated aged pecorino cheese (a GOOD parmesan will substitute)
½ cup grated Parmigiano (increase this to ¾ if no pecorino)
2 cloves of garlic
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup pine nuts
1/3 cup walnut kernels (optional) But if possible I would definitely include them
1 pound (500 g) spaghetti

METHOD

If you have a marble mortar and pestle and wish to use it (purists say neither brass nor wood mortars will work), put the salt, garlic, nuts and basil in it and grind the mixture, firmly crushing the ingredients against the sides of the mortar, rather than striking sharp blows with the pestle.
When the mixture is ground, add the cheese, a bit at a time, continuing to grind, and when it is all worked in, add the oil in a slow stream, stirring with a wooden spatula. The resulting pesto should be smooth and creamy.

If you are using a food processor instead, chop the garlic, basil, and nuts. Add salt, being careful not to let the mixture liquefy, then transfer it to a bowl and stir in the grated cheese and the oil.