Description
Coastal Italian classic spaghetti vongole delivers briny clam elegance with simple Mediterranean ingredients. Silky pasta mingles with fresh herbs and ocean-kissed shellfish, promising a delightful journey through traditional Italian seaside cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 lbs small clams, cleaned
- 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small dried red chilli or 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
Liquids and Oils:
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry white wine
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) clam juice
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing minced garlic and red chilli flakes until they release a fragrant aroma and turn lightly golden.
- Introduce fresh clams to the skillet, pouring in white wine and reserved clam liquid. Cover the pan and allow the shellfish to steam, approximately 4-5 minutes, until their shells dramatically pop open.
- Simultaneously, prepare spaghetti in a pot of generously salted boiling water, cooking until perfectly al dente, typically 8-9 minutes.
- Quickly transfer the cooked pasta directly into the clam sauce, using tongs to ensure some starchy cooking water comes along, which helps emulsify the sauce.
- Vigorously toss the pasta with the open clams, creating a silky coating, and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for brightness and color.
- Plate the spaghetti vongole immediately, garnishing with additional parsley and serving alongside crusty, rustic bread to soak up the delectable maritime sauce.
Notes
- Always use fresh, high-quality clams for the best flavor and texture in your dish.
- Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking, as they might be unsafe to eat.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water to create a silky, emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to the spaghetti.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg