Basically a very simple traditional Italian pasta dish with anchovies with a crispy touch from breadcrumbs.
Today it is even considered gourmet, although in the old days breadcrumbs were used as a substitute for Parmigiano cheese, as the latter was way too expensive. That’s why it was called as ‘the poor man’s cheese’.
This dish is widely spread and used throughout Italy, especially in Southern Italy in regions like Puglia, Campania, Sicily just to name a few where it originated, and one can indulge in cooking it by creating many variations, depending on one’s taste.
Check it out one more Spaghetti dish from Puglia: spag-bowl-with-raw-tomato-sauce/
Serves 2, Preparation 5 mins, Cooking 15 mins
- Spaghetti, 180 g
- Anchovy in olive oil, 4-5 fillets
- 1 chilli pepper or a teaspoon of chilli flakes
- 2 peeled garlic cloves
- A pinch of salt
- Toasted Breadcrumbs, to taste
- EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 tablespoons
Method
Bring lightly salted water to the boil and plunge the spaghetti into it.
Meantime, toast breadcrumbs in a small pan with a drizzle of EVOO, stir well until browned, then set aside.
Heat 3 tablespoons of EVOO, brown the garlic cloves together with the chilli pepper, add anchovy fillets and they will melt into the pan.
Add a tablespoon or two of pasta cooking water to make it creamy.
Drain spaghetti al dente, add to the pan with the anchovy, garlic and chilli seasoning.
Serve with toasted breadcrumbs on top.
2 Comments
This is something we make quite often! It reminds us of our time in Sicily, though I don’t know if it’s specific to that region only. But it is something that we consider comfort food, which is true for most of la cucina povera.
I second that, I also consider it as comfort food, which is true for most of la cucina povera as you say.
This is not only specific of Sicily but it’s surely specific of Southern Italy. In Puglia it is also made quite often for example, I remember how many Spaghetti con acciughe e pangrattato tostato I ate prepared in my apulian family.
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