Pasta with Raisins and Amaretti Cookie Crumbs

The crumble (amaretti) serve as a type of breadcrumb and adds a subtle sweetness to this pasta dish. Plump the raisins by adding them to the boiling pasta just before draining.

4 oz butter, room temperature
½ cup amaretti cookie crumbs (~ 12-15 cookies)
⅓ cup golden raisins
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 lb macaroni, farfalle (bow tie) or other tubular pasta

Bring about 6 quarts of generously salted water (it should taste like the ocean) to a boil, add the pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes or until 'al dente'.

Place the butter in a large bowl. Drain the cooked pasta and reserve a little of the cooking water. Add the hot drained pasta to the bowl and toss gently until the butter is melted. Add the cookie crumbs, raisins, and cheese and toss again. Add a little cooking water if the pasta seems too dry.

Serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.