CRAB PASTA WITH SNAP PEAS AND MINT

Crab Pasta With Snap Peas and Mint image

Sweet crab meat and even sweeter sugar snap peas are a lovely match in this green-flecked springtime pasta. Don't overlook the final garnish of olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and flaky sea salt - it really brings out the saline flavor of the crab. Try replacing the mint with basil or chives, or even with tender pea shoots, which will increase the pea quotient in a delightful way.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dinner, easy, for two, quick, weekday, pastas, seafood, main course

Time 25m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

Fine sea salt, as needed
8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, to taste
1 cup sliced sugar snap peas
2 scallions, whites and greens (both light and dark) thinly sliced
1/8 teaspoon red chile flakes, more to taste
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
8 ounces crab meat, preferably lump
2/3 cup torn mint leaves
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving
Flaky sea salt, for serving

Steps:

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and boil until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup pasta water, then stir in snap peas, scallions, chile flakes and a large pinch of salt. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until peas are tender. Stir in lemon zest and mix well.
Add drained pasta to the pan along with crab, 1/3 cup mint, the lemon juice and black pepper. Toss, adding more pasta water if the mixture looks dry, until warmed through. Remove from heat and serve topped with remaining mint, a drizzle of oil, more lemon if you'd like, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 515, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 65 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 611 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 1 gram