SEA SCALLOPS OVER SHALLOT-HERB PASTA

Sea Scallops Over Shallot-Herb Pasta image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 pound spaghetti or linguine
3 shallots, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 cups mixed fresh herbs, such as mint, flat-leaf parsley, tarragon, and basil, finely chopped
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswise, plus 1/4 cup snipped fronds
24 sea scallops (about 1 1/4 pounds total), tough muscles removed

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Meanwhile, place shallots on a cutting board and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Using the side of a knife, crush into a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl and whisk in 6 tablespoons oil and lemon juice. Add herbs and fennel fronds; mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Drain pasta in a colander and return to pot. Stir in herb sauce; cover to keep warm.
Heat grill to medium-high. Toss fennel slices with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss scallops with remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper and thread onto skewers (presoaked for 30 minutes, if wooden), if using.
Lightly brush grates with oil. Place fennel slices in a grill basket and grill until just wilted and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Grill scallops, turning halfway through, until golden and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes total. Serve scallops and fennel over pasta.