Briny, crunchy, lemony, and faintly spicy, this pasta salad of sorts hits all the high notes flawlessly. Barely blanched green beans and a handful of aromatics are “cold fried”—that is, they start in a pool of cool oil and gently sizzle and brown as the heat catches up. This is an easier splatter-free approach than dropping it all in a skillet of hot oil. Shreds of fresh mozzarella offer cool, creamy comfort and hold up well for a few hours at room temperature. Any small, tubular pasta will do in place of the ditalini.
What you’ll need
Large Pot
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Vegetable Peeler
$12 $10 At Amazon
Slotted Spoon
$11 At Amazon
Mesh Sieve
$13 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1
1
5
4
1
½
2
1
4
8
1
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Preparation
Step 1
Using a vegetable peeler, remove zest in wide strips from 1 large lemon, leaving as much white pith behind as possible. Thinly slice strips; set aside. Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard pulp and seeds. Set juice aside.
Step 2
Cook 1 lb. green beans, trimmed, cut into 1" pieces, in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beans to a large skillet. Keep water in pot at a boil (pasta will be cooked in same pot).
Step 3
Add 5 oil-packed anchovy fillets, chopped, 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, 1 cup coarsely chopped raw walnuts, ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp. drained capers, 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, and reserved lemon zest to skillet. Place skillet over medium-high heat and cook green beans, tossing often, until blistered in spots, 5–8 minutes.
Step 4
Meanwhile, cook 4 oz. ditalini or other small tube pasta in pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and return to pot.
Step 5
Add green bean mixture and reserved lemon juice to pasta; toss to combine. Gently mix in 8 oz. bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella balls) or fresh mozzarella, torn into large pieces, and ½ cup coarsely chopped mixed tender herbs (such as dill, parsley, and/or chives).
Step 6
Divide pasta among shallow bowls and top with remaining ½ cup chopped herbs.
Do ahead: Pasta (without cheese and herbs) can be made 4 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature. Add cheese and herbs just before serving.