Caramelized Meyer Lemon Spaghetti with Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs & Parmesan Cheese

Step 1

1 Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Using a peeler, remove half of the yellow rind of the lemon, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter and deseed the lemon; thinly slice crosswise into triangles. Place the sliced lemon in a small bowl with the sugar and a pinch ofsalt; toss to combine and set aside to marinate. Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Peel the garlic; thinly slice 2 of the cloves, leaving the remaining clove whole. Thinly slice the parsley leaves and stems.

Step 2

2 Toast the breadcrumbs: In a large pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the whole garlic clove. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until browned and fragrant. Add the breadcrumbs; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and toasted. Transfer to a plate; discard the garlic clove. Wipe out the pan.

Step 3

3 Caramelize the lemon: In the pan used to toast the breadcrumbs, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the marinated lemon, shallot, sliced garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4

4 Cook the pasta: While the lemon caramelizes, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook 9 to 11 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Reserving ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water, thoroughly drain the cooked pasta and transfer to the pan of caramelized lemon.

Step 5

5 Finish the pasta: Add the butter, lemon zest and ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the pan of caramelized lemon and pasta. Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pasta is thoroughly coated. (If the sauce seems dry, gradually add the remaining pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.) Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6

6 Serve your dish: Divide the finished pasta between 2 dishes. Garnish with the toasted breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley. Enjoy!

Step 7

1 Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Using a peeler, remove half of the yellow rind of the lemon, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter and deseed the lemon; thinly slice crosswise into triangles. Place the sliced lemon in a small bowl with the sugar and a pinch ofsalt; toss to combine and set aside to marinate. Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Peel the garlic; thinly slice 2 of the cloves, leaving the remaining clove whole. Thinly slice the parsley leaves and stems.

Step 8

2 Toast the breadcrumbs: In a large pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the whole garlic clove. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until browned and fragrant. Add the breadcrumbs; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and toasted. Transfer to a plate; discard the garlic clove. Wipe out the pan.

Step 9

3 Caramelize the lemon: In the pan used to toast the breadcrumbs, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the marinated lemon, shallot, sliced garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 10

4 Cook the pasta: While the lemon caramelizes, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook 9 to 11 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Reserving ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water, thoroughly drain the cooked pasta and transfer to the pan of caramelized lemon.

Step 11

5 Finish the pasta: Add the butter, lemon zest and ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the pan of caramelized lemon and pasta. Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pasta is thoroughly coated. (If the sauce seems dry, gradually add the remaining pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.) Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 12

6 Serve your dish: Divide the finished pasta between 2 dishes. Garnish with the toasted breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley. Enjoy!