AUTHENTIC  ITALIAN  RECIPES

 FROM

 RISTORANTE  d'ANNAMARIA

Spaghetti alla puttanesca is a spicey favorite here in Naples.  The ingredients can easily be found anywhere so enjoy an authentic taste of Southern Italy.

Ingredients for 6 persons:

canned pelati or fresh very ripe tomatoes                18 ounces

garlic                                                                      3 large cloves

extra virgin olive oil                                                5 ounces

oregano                                                                   ±1 teaspoon

black pepper                                                            as needed

fresh red cayenne pepper                                         1 medium

capers                                                                      2 ounces

black Gaeta olives (pitted)                                        4 ounces

parsley (chopped)                                                    12 – 15 stalks

salt                                                                           as needed

anchovies (rinsed, boned, coarsely chopped)             4 - 6

spaghetti, vermicelli, or thin linguine                        22 ounces

How to Do It:

 In a very large frying pan,  sauté the garlic in the olive oil until it's tender and blond in color.

To the frying pan, add the capers, olives, pelati (crush them a bit with your hand as you put them in the pan), red pepper, and oregano.

 NOTE  The amount of oregano is a judgment call.  I think about a teaspoonful should be about right. 

Remember - If you need more you can always add more, but once you've put in too much, you can't remove it.

Cook over high heat for 10 – 15 minutes. The sauce should be fairly dense.

At the last moment, add the chopped parsley (we don't really want it to cook) and the anchovies.

Let the sauce cook for another minute and check for salt.

Cook the pasta in a large pot to desired doneness, drain it, and add it to the sauce in the frying pan.

Toss in the pan a little and serve it hot.