Pesto Calabrese

Pesto Calabrese creates a surprising BANG in your mouth as you taste the blend of sweet red peppers, ricotta, other Italian cheeses and the perfect amount of heat to keep it Southern Italian Style!

Southern Italians are the largest and first manufacturers of Pasta in the world today and even dating back to the beginning of the history of pasta. So if anyone knows how to do it right when it comes to pasta sauce recipes, Southern Italians do!

The most brilliant, flavorful and unique pesto sauce recipes are not be excluded.

Yes Northern Italians have their claim to fame when it comes to the traditional Genovese Pesto recipe.

But when it comes to creating new and exciting flavors in Pesto the South wins hands down.

Pesto Calabrese is a blend of juicy, bright red peppers skinned and crushed. Then mix them with a blend of fresh Italian cheeses such as Ricotta and Pecorino. Let's not forget the Grana Padano, a sister to Parmigiano cheese and only called that because it doesn't come from Parma, Italy. But don't let the name fool you. It's Italian, therefore it's delicious!

:o)

Use fresh red peppers. It may take a couple of minutes of extra work but it is so worth it.

Placing them in a pot filled about an inch or two of water with the lid on. Bring the water to a boil for about 5 minutes, remove from heat and let them sit till they cool.

Now you're ready to peel and core them. They'll be soft so it won't be hard at all.

Take the peppers and the rest of the ingredients and place them into a food processor and blend until smooth and set aside.

When you're ready to serve the pesto sauce with Pasta, you'll add it to freshly drained hot pasta and that will make the pesto sauce warm. It's best not to heat this sauce at all.

You definitely don't need to serve Pesto Calabrese with Parmigiano or any other cheese. It's perfect the way it is. But a sprinkle of chopped parsley will make it colorful and tasty.

Serve your pesto calabrese with Gnocchi, Rotini or Fusilli pasta shapes.
If you think this Pesto Sauce recipe sounds good you've got to read about a Southern Style pesto made with raisins, capers and anchovies.

It doesn't end there. Pesto Siciliano, also known as Pesto Trapanese is made with almonds and mint.

See what I mean about Southern Italian Pestos? They are so creative and OMG! Delicious!