Name: Spaghetti alla puttanesca
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 300g spaghetti; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp chilli flakes; 1 plump clove of garlic (pressed); 4 slices of anchovies, from a jar; 1 tin chopped tomatoes; 1 Tbsp capers, chopped; 100g pitted black olives; 2 tsp red wine vinegar; Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

15 Aug 2015

by Dinna

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

15 minutes

Background

This tasty pasta dish was invented (and named!) in the sixties - Spaghetti alla puttanesca literally means "spaghetti in whore's style". The sauce alone is called sugo alla puttanesca in Italy and there are many versions now. The typical ingredients are tomatoes, olives, capers and garlic. Sometimes chilli is added too. Traditionally it's served with spaghetti, but other pasta can be used too. This one is an appropriately spicy version!

Ingredients

300g spaghetti
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 plump clove of garlic (pressed)
4 slices of anchovies, from a jar
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 Tbsp capers, chopped
100g pitted black olives
2 tsp red wine vinegar
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Boil the spaghetti according to the instructions on the pack, then drain.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan, add the garlic, anchovies and chilli, then fry for about 1 minute.
When fragrant, add the capers, stir a few times, then add the tomatoes and the olives. Cook for 5 minutes, stir in the vinegar and season with salt & pepper. Take it off the heat, and mix with the pasta.
Sprinkle some grated cheese on the top, if you like.
Serve hot.