Linguine with Kale, Lemon and Walnuts

  • 6
  • 45 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup walnuts (2 ounces)
  • 1 pound kale, stems discarded and leaves thinly sliced (10 cups)
  • 1 pound linguine
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed basil leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and bake for about 10 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch the kale until bright green and just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the kale to a colander to drain.

Return the water in the saucepan to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta.

Wipe out the saucepan and add 1/3 cup of the oil; heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the drained kale and lemon zest and cook, tossing, until hot, about 2 minutes. Add the linguine, lemon juice and the remaining 1/3 cup of oil and toss to coat. Add the basil, toasted walnuts, 1/2 cup of cheese and half of the reserved cooking water and simmer over moderate heat, tossing, until the pasta is lightly coated; add more cooking water if the sauce is too thick. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, transfer to bowls and serve, passing additional cheese at the table.