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Spaghetti with Clams Recipe

Italy · Servings: 6

Spaghetti with Clams

Spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) originated in Naples and is very popular throughout the surrounding Campania region in addition to Rome. Italians prepare this dish two ways: with tomatoes (in rosso) and without (in bianco).Info on Spaghetti alle vongole on Italiantourism.com The b

Ingredients

  • 4 liters (1 gallon) water
  • Salt, to taste
  • 450 g (1 lb) dry spaghetti
  • Olive oil
  • 20 g (¾ oz) garlic, minced
  • 1 kg (2 lb) live clams
  • 225 g (8 oz) diced plum tomatoes (see notes)
  • 225 g (8 oz) canned, shelled clams, thoroughly rinsed (optional)
  • 120 ml (4 oz) bottled clam broth (optional)
  • 1 handful of parsley, minced
  • Peperoncino or, less commonly, black pepper to taste

Procedure

  1. Boil the water in a large pot with a tablespoon of salt.
  2. Add the spaghetti once the water starts boiling. Cook until the pasta is al dente. This should take 7–8 minutes.
  3. Pour olive oil into a large, wide pan so that it barely covers the bottom and heat the oil.
  4. Add the garlic, along with the peperoncino, and sauté until golden brown. This should take about a minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add the live clams and diced tomatoes.
  6. Put the lid on the pan and cook for about eight minutes. Shake the pan every minute or so to help the clams open. Throw out those that don't.
  7. Drain the spaghetti and put it in the pan with the live clams and tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low.
  8. Add the canned clams and clam broth to the pan.
  9. Season with salt (and pepper, if the peperoncino is not used) to taste and toss until the pasta is well coated with tomatoes and oil. Add another tablespoon of olive oil if you like.
  10. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  11. Serve hot.

Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook · Cookbook:Spaghetti with Clams, CC BY-SA 3.0.