Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground lamb
  • 1/2 medium red onion, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry red wine
  • 1 tablespoon minced parsley
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed lavender
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 1 6-ounce bunch of arugula
  • 1/2 cup unsalted roasted almonds, chopped
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 1/4 pounds fresh tagliarini

Method

  • In a bowl, mix the pork and lamb with the onion, wine, parsley, zest, thyme, fennel, lavender and red pepper.
  • Add one-third of the garlic, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
  • Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  • In a very large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil.
  • Add the meatballs and cook over moderately high heat, turning frequently, until browned, 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to moderate and cook for 5 minutes longer, or until no trace of pink remains.
  • Transfer to a plate.
  • In a food processor, puree the arugula with the almonds, 1/2 cup of Parmesan and the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil and garlic.
  • Scrape the pesto into a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
  • In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
  • Drain the pasta; transfer it to bowl.
  • Toss the pasta with the pesto and 1/2 cup of the cooking water; add more water if the sauce is dry.
  • Serve with the meatballs and more Parmesan and olive oil.