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Winter Tomato Spaghetti with Olives and Capers

17/11/2023

Winter tomato spaghetti with olives and capers is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for heating up cold days with a Mediterranean flavor. Here’s how to prepare this delicious dish.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of spaghetti
  • 400 g of peeled tomatoes or tomato passata
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 100 g of pitted black olives
  • 2 tablespoons of salted capers (to be desalted)
  • Extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
  • Chili pepper (optional)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • A sprig of fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese (optional, for serving)

Preparation

  1. Start by desalting the capers, rinsing them under running water, and then soaking them in fresh water for about 15 minutes.

  2. In the meantime, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan. Add the cloves of garlic and, if you wish, a chili pepper to add a bit of spice to the dish.

  3. Once the garlic is golden (be careful not to burn it), remove it from the pan and add the peeled tomatoes, crushing them with a wooden spoon, or pour in the tomato passata.

  4. Let the sauce cook over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, until it thickens. Adjust the salt to taste.

  5. While the sauce is cooking, boil a pot of salted water for the spaghetti. When it boils, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.

  6. Add the well-drained olives and capers to the tomato sauce and let it flavor for another 5 minutes.

  7. Drain the spaghetti al dente and toss them in the pan with the sauce. Stir them for a minute to mix well with the dressing.

  8. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley and serve with grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese on the side for those who wish to add it.

Here are your winter tomato spaghetti with olives and capers, ready to enjoy. A simple, tasty dish that also brings color to even the grayest days of winter. Enjoy your meal!

Curiosity

Olives and capers are two ingredients typical of Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Southern Italy. Both have a strong and decisive flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the tomatoes. This dish is a great example of how Italian cuisine can turn a few quality ingredients into a full meal rich in flavor.

Winter Tomato Spaghetti with Olives and Capers