Whore's Spaghetti - Puttanesca

by The Travel Italy Grapevine Team

Puttanesca Recipe (Spaghetti with Anchovies, Olives and Capers)

A puttana in Italy is a prostitute. The reason why this Southern Italy dish is named after a prostitute is because the dish is:

* Fast
* Cheap &
* Easy! :)

Enjoy!

Serves 4:

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tin anchovy fillets, drained
140 g black olives, stoned
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
450 g tinned plum tomatoes
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt
400 g dried spaghetti
2 tablespoons fresh, flat-leaved parsley

Method:

Heat the olive oil and add the garlic over a low heat, making sure that you don't burn the garlic. Stir frequently. Add the anchovies and allow to melt. Add the olives, capers, tomatoes and season to taste with the cayenne pepper. Don't salt as the anchovies will be salty enough. Simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil a large pot of boiling water and bring to the boil. Add salt to taste and spaghetti. Boil for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain.

Mix the sauce through the pasta. Toss, add extra olive oil for taste and garnish with the parsley.