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Penne with Artichoke Sauce

17/11/2023

Penne with artichoke sauce is a simple and tasty dish, perfect for the season when artichokes are most tender and flavorful. Here is the recipe to prepare this delicious first course.

Ingredients for 4 people:

  • 350g of penne pasta
  • 6 artichokes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 50ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • 100ml of white wine
  • Fresh parsley to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Grated Pecorino Romano to taste (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean the artichokes by removing the toughest outer leaves, the tips, and the inner choke. Cut them into wedges and soak them in water with a bit of lemon juice to prevent them from darkening.
  2. In a large pan, heat the oil and add the garlic cloves. Let the garlic brown and then add the well-drained artichokes. Sauté for a few minutes over medium heat.
  3. Deglaze with white wine and let the alcohol evaporate. Lower the heat and cover with a lid to let the artichokes cook until they become tender. If necessary, add a little water during cooking. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente, following the timing on the package.
  5. Once cooked, drain the artichokes (reserving some cooking water) and, if you prefer a creamier sauce, set aside some wedges and blend the rest with an immersion blender, adjusting the consistency with the cooking water. Add the whole artichoke wedges to the blended sauce for more texture.
  6. Drain the pasta al dente and transfer it to the pan with the artichoke sauce. Toss for a few minutes to blend the flavors well.
  7. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley and, if you wish, grated Pecorino Romano on top.

Curiosity

The artichoke is a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen and is a food rich in beneficial properties for health. It is central in Mediterranean cuisine and, in addition to being delicious as a pasta seasoning, can be enjoyed in a thousand other ways, such as in salads, fried, grilled, or as the main ingredient of delicious savory pies.

This recipe is a simple base, but you can enrich it with other ingredients to taste, such as adding smoked bacon or sausage for a more intense flavor, or chili pepper if you prefer a spicy taste. Bon appétit!