The largest of the Aeolian Islands, located off the coast of Sicily, Lipari has beautiful beaches and is famous as a summer resort. It gets awfully hot there, and this light uncooked sauce is a local specialty. Toss with pasta or serve on grilled fish or boiled potatoes.

Lipari Tomato-Nut Pesto is a flavorful and vibrant sauce that combines the richness of tomatoes with the crunch of various nuts. This pesto is made with ripe plum tomatoes, garlic, almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, and fresh basil, all blended together with extra-virgin olive oil. The result is a delicious and versatile sauce that can elevate a variety of dishes.

The ripe plum tomatoes bring a natural sweetness and tanginess to the pesto, while the garlic adds a subtle yet distinct flavor. The combination of almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts provides a satisfying texture and a delightful nuttiness to the sauce. Fresh basil leaves impart a refreshing herbal note, enhancing the overall taste profile.

This Lipari Tomato-Nut Pesto can be used as a spread, dip, or sauce. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, whether tossed in or used as a topping. It also makes a great accompaniment to bruschetta, sandwiches, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to get creative in incorporating this flavorful pesto into your favorite recipes.

Prepare to savor the robust flavors and delightful textures of Lipari Tomato-Nut Pesto, a versatile sauce that will add a burst of deliciousness to your culinary creations.

Makes 1½ cups

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large ripe plum tomatoes (about 2 pounds)
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup almonds (with skins)
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water.
2. Drop half of the tomatoes into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Scoop out the tomatoes and place them in the cold water. Repeat the process with the remaining tomatoes.
4. Drain the tomatoes and cut them lengthwise in half.
5. Slip off the skins and squeeze out the seeds.
6. Coarsely chop the tomatoes.
7. In a food processor, pulse the garlic and nuts until finely ground.
8. Add the basil, chopped tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste into the food processor.
9. Process the mixture to blend the ingredients.
10. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil.
11. Continue processing until the pesto reaches a desired consistency.
12. Serve the pesto at room temperature.

Enjoy the delightful flavors of this plum tomato pesto! It can be used as a dip, spread, or sauce to enhance the taste of various dishes. Try it on pasta, bruschetta, sandwiches, or as a flavorful topping for grilled meats or vegetables. The combination of ripe plum tomatoes, garlic, nuts, basil, and olive oil creates a delicious and versatile pesto that will elevate your meals.