Spaghetti aglio e olio

Here is the recipe for spaghetti with garlic and oil, a classic of Italian cuisine, simple yet incredibly tasty.

Ingredients

• 400g of spaghetti
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 120ml of extra virgin olive oil
• Chili pepper to taste (fresh or dried)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Salt as needed

Preparation

1. Fill a large pot with water, salt it slightly and bring it to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package, aiming for an al dente texture.

2. While the spaghetti is cooking, peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly. Alternatively, you can crush them for a less intense flavor.

3. In a large frying pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat and add the sliced garlic. If desired, also add chili pepper to taste.

4. Sauté the garlic until it turns golden, being careful not to burn it. If the oil starts to sizzle too much, lower the heat.

5. When the spaghetti is al dente, drain it, reserving some of the cooking water.

6. Add the spaghetti to the pan with the garlic and oil, mix well to ensure the spaghetti is coated with the flavored oil.

7. If the pasta seems dry, you can add some cooking water to make it creamy.

8. Toss the spaghetti in the pan for 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

9. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

This recipe is an authentic example of “cucina povera”, where with a few easily available ingredients one can create a richly flavored dish. Traditionally it was the meal that workers took with them for lunch, thanks to its ease and speed of preparation.