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Spaghetti alla Puttanesca | Rachael Ray | Recipe

Heat a large pot of water for pasta.

8-Quart Oval Covered Pasta Pot with Pour Spout

8-Quart Oval Covered Pasta Pot with Pour Spout

8-Quart Oval Covered Pasta Pot with Pour Spout

Heat a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat with EVOO, 5 turns of the pan, add the anchovies and break them up as they heat, mashing and stirring until they melt into the oil completely. Cover the skillet while they are breaking down. Add garlic and red pepper paste or flakes or fresh chili and stir a minute or so, add capers and olives and combine, add vermouth and increase heat to reduce by half another minute, add fresh tomatoes or canned (for canned mash a bit with spoon or paddle) and stir in a few leaves of basil, torn.  Cover pan and cook sauce 15-20 minutes, shaking pan occasionally, uncover and reduce to low simmer.

Cook pasta 1 minute less than directions on package in salted water and reserve ¾ cup starchy water, drain.

While pasta and sauce cook, toast breadcrumbs, if using. See below.

Toss pasta with sauce, half of the parsley and the starchy water, top with breadcrumbs (if using) and a bit more torn basil and remaining chopped parsley.

For the breadcrumb topping, heat EVOO and butter over medium heat in a small skillet and add colatura or melt anchovy with the crushed garlic. Add bread and stir to toast to deep golden brown. Pass to top pasta.   

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Zora Stowers

Update: 2024-05-19