Pasta alla "Puttanesca Bianca"

Recipe PREP 5 min COOK 25 min

Pasta alla "Puttanesca Bianca"

PREP 5 min COOK 25 min

Description

This bold, briny pasta combines garlic, chile, capers, and olives for a punchy, Mediterranean-inspired dish. Simple yet flavorful, it comes together quickly. Feel free to let this marinate a bit and take it to a picnic or a potluck; it works handsomely as pasta salad too.Durum wheat is high in protein, and the host of pungent aromatics all contribute vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats.

Ingredients

4 SERVES

1 lb (450 g) penne rigate, or other short dried pasta
3 Tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
1 or 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 dried hot red chile (such as arbol, or similar), thinly sliced
1 Tbsp (11 g) brined capers, drained
1 handful (35 to 70 g) black olives (gaeta or kalamata), pitted
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Put a large pot of salted water on high heat. Thinly slice the garlic and hot pepper. When the water is at a rolling boil, add the pasta and stir it a couple of times to keep any penne from sticking together.
Step 2

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the garlic and chile, and use a wooden spoon to stir a few times so that they’re coated in oil. Before the garlic starts to color, about 30 seconds, turn off the heat and let the pan sit to infuse the oil with flavor.
Step 3

When the pasta is just al dente, remove it to the saucepan with the oil and toss it thoroughly to coat, adding the capers, olives, and parsley. Taste for seasoning, add salt if needed, and twist in several grinds of black pepper. Toss again and serve immediately.

Substitutions: Use any type of dried pasta you like, short or long, and add anything else you have, like oil-cured dried tomatoes.

Level Up: Make cavatelli or orecchiette [links] from scratch instead of using store-bought pasta

Zero Waste: Add parsley stems to stock, or blend with other herbs for pesto or green sauce