Author Notes
November is the season for Nantucket Bay Scallops. These sweet little gems are about midway between a regular bay scallop and a sea scallop in size, and they’re perfect for simple, clean-flavored preparations like this pasta dish. My ex-husband used to make something similar (a recipe he ganked from some food magazine I’ve long forgotten), and I have updated it over the years by adding two of my favorite flavor boosters – chile flakes and fresh lemon zest. This dish is bright and tasty, comes together in literally minutes, and allows the delicious flavor of the scallops to shine. —lastnightsdinner
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Ingredients
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1 tablespoon
extra virgin olive oil
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1-2
garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
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Kosher salt?
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1/2 cup
dry white wine or white vermouth
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Red chile flakes to taste?
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1/2 pound
Nantucket Bay scallops (or sea scallops, halved or quartered if large)
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1/4 cup
chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
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3/4 pound
cappellini (angel hair) pasta
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1/4 cup
freshly squeezed lemon juice
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2 tablespoons
lemon zest
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2 tablespoons
fine dry breadcrumbs
Directions
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Get a large pot of salted water boiling for the pasta.
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Add the cappellini to the boiling pasta water and cook about 3 minutes, just until al dente. Remove the pasta from the water and place into a warmed serving bowl, adding a ladle or two of the starchy water to keep it moist.
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While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a wide skillet and add the garlic cloves and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant and beginning to turn golden.
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Add the wine and chile flakes and let cook for a moment before adding the scallops. Season the scallops with a bit more salt and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the scallops are just cooked through.
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Stir the 1/4 cup of parsley and the lemon juice into the scallops and remove them from the heat. Pour the scallops and sauce over the cooked pasta and toss gently.
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Divide between warmed bowls or plates and top each serving with additional chopped parsley, the grated lemon zest, and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs.
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