Tonnarelli with Caper Pesto

• FAST
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 2 large garlic cloves
3. 1/4 cup chopped peeled tomatoes
4. 1 1/2 tablespoons capers in salt, rinsed and patted dry (see Note)
5. 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
6. 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh oregano leaves (see Note)
7. 1 tablespoon good-quality red wine vinegar
8. Kosher salt
9. 1/2 pound imported dried tonnarelli, linguine or spaghettini
10. 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)

1. Fill a stockpot with 6 quarts of water, cover and bring to a boil.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil with the garlic and bring to a boil, cooking briskly until the garlic is golden. Remove from the heat and let cool; swirl the pan to hasten the cooling.
3. Transfer the garlic and oil to a blender or mini-processor. Add the tomato pulp and the capers and pulse until chopped. Add the parsley and oregano and pulse until chunky, then add the vinegar.
4. Add 3 1/2 tablespoons salt to the boiling water and add the tonnarelli. Cover partially until the water just returns to a boil, then uncover, stir the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the tonnarelli, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with the caper paste. If the linguine is dry, add some of the pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Garnish with Pecorino Romano cheese if desired and serve immediately.