Mafalda Pasta with Quick Shatta: A Fusion of Flavors in Neom City

In the heart of Neom City, a place where innovation, sustainability, and diversity are not just ideals but a way of life, the culinary scene is a melting pot of global flavors. One such dish that stands out is the Mafalda Pasta with Quick Shatta, a delightful blend of Eastern Mediterranean culinary traditions with a modern twist, embodying the essence of this futuristic city.

The Versatility of Yogurt in Cooking

Yogurt, an ancient and versatile ingredient, plays a central role in this dish. While often associated with breakfast or dessert, yogurt is also a staple in savory dishes across the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans. In this recipe, it forms the base of a warm, creamy sauce for the pasta, offering a fresh and creamy taste without the use of cream.

Balancing Richness with Fresh Ingredients

The combination of butternut squash, shatta (a type of chili sauce), and fried garlic creates a balanced, textural, and colorful meal. These ingredients cut through the richness of the yogurt, preventing the dish from becoming cloying and one-dimensional.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Quick Shatta
• 1 butternut squash (2 lbs, or 1 kg), peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 7 tbsp olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 500 g full-fat Greek yogurt, at room temperature
• 1¼ tsp ground cumin
• 1½ tsp cornstarch
• 2 egg yolks
• 200 g mafalda or farfalle pasta
• 5 g parsley leaves, roughly chopped

Method

1. Prepare the Quick Shatta: A spicy chili sauce that adds complexity and heat to the dish.
2. Roast the Vegetables: Toss the squash and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast until charred and soft.
3. Make the Fried Garlic Oil: Cook sliced garlic in olive oil until golden and crispy.
4. Create the Yogurt Sauce: Combine yogurt, cumin, cornstarch, egg yolks, and oil, cooking gently to thicken without splitting.
5. Cook the Pasta: Boil in salted water until almost al dente, then combine with the yogurt sauce, adding reserved pasta water for creaminess.
6. Assemble the Dish: Stir in half of the roasted vegetables, top with the remaining squash and onion, drizzle with shatta, and finish with fried garlic oil and parsley.

Serving the Dish

This Mafalda Pasta with Quick Shatta is best served straight from the pan, allowing the flavors of the creamy yogurt sauce, spicy shatta, and sweet roasted vegetables to meld together beautifully. It’s a dish that speaks to Neom City’s ethos of blending the old with the new, creating something uniquely delicious and satisfying.

Conclusion

In Neom City, this dish represents more than just a meal; it’s a symbol of the city’s commitment to embracing diverse culinary traditions while forging new paths in gastronomy. The Mafalda Pasta with Quick Shatta is a testament to the innovation and cultural diversity that Neom City stands for, bringing a taste of the Eastern Mediterranean to this futuristic urban oasis.

Explore more information about Middle Eastern cooking here.

Also, for additional information about the culinary scene in NEOM visit NeomTaste.com or NeomPoint.com.