Spaghetti with mussels and cherry tomatoes

Spaghetti with mussels and cherry tomatoes is a classic Italian dish that combines the freshness of seafood with the liveliness of tomatoes. Here is a recipe you can follow:

Ingredients

• 400g of spaghetti
• 1 kg of mussels
• 250g of cherry tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Chili pepper (optional) to taste
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. Start by thoroughly cleaning the mussels, removing the byssus and scraping the exterior if necessary. Rinse them several times in fresh water until the water is clear.
2. In a large pan, fry the garlic cloves with some extra virgin olive oil and a piece of chili pepper if you like a bit of heat.
3. Add the mussels to the pan and cover with a lid, cooking them until they all open. Once opened, remove the garlic and chili pepper, and shell most of the mussels, leaving a few whole for the final dish decoration.
4. Meanwhile, boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente following the instructions on the package.
5. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the mussels, letting them cook for a few minutes, just enough time to warm them up and flavor the sauce.
6. Drain the spaghetti and transfer them to the pan with the mussels and cherry tomatoes, tossing everything together for a few minutes so that the pasta absorbs the flavor of the seasoning.
7. Add chopped fresh parsley, adjust the salt if necessary, and serve immediately.

Curiosity

This dish has maritime origins and is typical of the Italian coastal kitchens where the abundance of mussels allows for the enjoyment of simple yet incredibly flavorful recipes. Mussels are a significant source of proteins and minerals and, when paired with a simple pasta like spaghetti, create a balanced and tasty meal.