Spaghetti with Shrimp and Clams

Spaghetti with shrimp and clams is a classic Italian dish that combines the sweetness of shrimp with the sea flavor of clams. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g of spaghetti
• 200 g of shelled shrimp
• 500 g of true clams
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• 150 ml of dry white wine
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by soaking the clams in a bowl of cold salted water for at least an hour to purge them of sand.
2. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan and sauté a clove of garlic. When the garlic turns golden, add the drained clams and cover the pan. Cook until the clams open, which will take about 5-7 minutes. During cooking, deglaze with the white wine.
3. Once the clams have opened, remove those that remained closed. You can choose to shell some of them, leaving others whole for plating. Strain the cooking liquid of the clams through a fine sieve and set it aside.
4. In another pan, heat another drizzle of oil with a second clove of garlic and, if you like, a piece of chili pepper. Add the shrimp and sauté for a few minutes until they turn pink and are cooked.
5. In the meantime, cook the spaghetti in plenty of salted water following the cooking time indicated on the package to achieve al dente pasta.
6. Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to the pan with the shrimp, adding the clams and a bit of the filtered cooking water to amalgamate everything.
7. Sauté the spaghetti in the sauce for a minute, adding chopped fresh parsley and adjusting salt if necessary.
8. Serve the spaghetti hot, garnishing with some whole clams and an additional touch of fresh parsley.

Curiosity

This dish has its roots in the culinary tradition of the Italian coastal regions, where seafood is a fresh and commonly used ingredient. Often, in many local variations, personal touches such as the addition of cherry tomatoes or a drizzle of cream can be found to soften and enrich the flavor of the dish.