Pasta And Shrimp With Sicilian Pesto

1 pound shell-on, U.S. wild-caught shrimp (26-30 count), defrosted if frozen

2 cups water

8 cherry tomatoes, plus 1 or 2 for garnish

Kosher salt

12 to 16 ounces dried, short shaped pasta, such as elbow macaroni or fusilli

Leaves from 4 stems fresh mint

Leaves from 2 to 4 stems fresh basil, plus a few leaves for garnish

2 cloves garlic

12 whole (raw) almonds (may use blanched whole or slivered almonds)

2 tablespoons pine nuts, plus more for garnish

Peel and devein the shrimp, placing the shells and tails in a medium saucepan along with the tomatoes and water. Reserve the shrimp on a plate.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook the shell mixture for 20 minutes. The tomatoes should burst or at least deflate; if they don't, you can pierce them with tip of a sharp knife during cooking.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and the pasta; cook according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and return the pasta to its pot.

Strain the shrimp-tomato broth, discarding the solids. Return the broth to the small saucepan. Increase the heat to high; boil for 3 minutes, so the broth has reduced to about 1 cup (and its flavor is concentrated). Keep ½ cup of it in the pan, then pour off the rest (save or discard). Turn off the heat.

Finely chop the mint, basil, garlic and almonds; add to the small saucepan, along with the pine nuts. Use an immersion (stick) blender to puree into a loose, frothy sauce, adding more of the reduced broth, as needed. Taste, and season lightly with salt.

Add the reserved shrimp to the pesto sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently and frequently, just until the shrimp is just opaque and pink.

Pour the sauce and shrimp into the pot with the drained pasta, along with ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir to incorporate, adding more of the remaining pasta cooking water as needed to keep the pasta saucy. Cook over low heat, just until the pasta is warmed through.

Transfer to a large warmed serving bowl. Garnish with more pine nuts, and an extra tomato and fresh basil leaf or two.

Serves 4 to 6

The nutritional analysis is based on 6 servings, using 1 pound of shrimp and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Calories: 290; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Cholesterol: 120 mg; Sodium: 280 mg; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 2 g; Protein: 23 g.

Adapted from "Adventures From an Italian Food Lover," by Faith Willinger (Crown, 2007).