Bucatini with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Salted Ricotta & Pangrattato

Sun-dried tomatoes form the base of this pesto, bringing a deep, concentrated tomato flavour with a gentle sweetness and tang. They are blended with datterino tomatoes, olive oil, nuts and herbs to create a thick sauce that coats the bucatini and settles inside the hollow strands. Sun-dried tomato pestos are closely associated with Sicily, where tomatoes have long been preserved in the Mediterranean sun to intensify their flavour and extend their use beyond the summer harvest. Finished with salted ricotta and pangrattato, the dish reflects this southern Italian tradition of pairing preserved tomatoes with sharp cheese and toasted breadcrumbs.