Pasta with Herbs and Anchovies

Pasta with herbs and anchovies is a simple yet flavorful dish, where the bold taste of the anchovies perfectly melds with the sweetness of the herbs. Here is how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta (penne or spaghetti work well)
• 1 bunch of herbs (chard or spinach are great)
• 6 anchovy fillets in oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Spicy chili pepper (to taste)
• Salt

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the herbs. Remove the harder parts of the stems and wash the leaves under running water. Afterwards, chop them roughly.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
3. In the meantime, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan with the peeled garlic cloves (you can remove them later or leave them in, depending on your taste).
4. When the garlic is golden, add the herbs to the pan and let them wilt over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
5. If you like, add some spicy chili pepper at this point.
6. Add the anchovy fillets to the pan and let them dissolve, mixing gently to flavor everything.
7. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain it al dente, reserving about a cup of the cooking water.
8. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the herbs and anchovies, adding a bit of the cooking water to create a light emulsion and blend the flavors.
9. Stir everything together for a few minutes on the heat to season the pasta.
10. Off the heat, you can add a drizzle of raw oil if you prefer.

Curiosity

Anchovies are a widely used ingredient in Italy, especially in the South and Liguria. Depending on the region, this dish may be enriched with other local ingredients such as capers, olives or cherry tomatoes, creating variations on the theme that reflect the territory.

Serve this dish hot, with an extra drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil raw to enhance the flavors. And enjoy your meal!