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How to Make Authentic Spaghetti alle Vongole: A Classic Italian Seafood Pasta

Spaghetti alle vongole, a traditional seafood pasta dish from Naples, is renowned for its simplicity and exquisite flavor. The briny juices of fresh clams are central to the dish, creating a rich sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. Although the first written recipe is predominantly credited to 19th-century Neapolitan aristocrat Ippolito Cavalcanti, culinary historians suggest that recipes involving Adriatic seafood in broths and soups date back as early as the 17th and 18th centuries.

Ingredients and Preparation

To achieve the best results, it is crucial to use the freshest small clams available. For a slight variation, you can include mussels to create a delightful pasta alle vongole e cozze. Fresh, chopped parsley is essential for enhancing the flavor and texture of the clam sauce, so avoid using dried parsley or canned clams.

Clams’ salinity varies depending on their origin and type, so it’s advisable to salt the pasta water lightly and let the natural clam juices season the dish. When selecting a wine for cooking, any dry white wine that you enjoy drinking will work. While Italian wines like Pinot Grigio or Verdejo are traditional choices, high-acid wines such as Gruner or Riesling are also suitable. If you don’t have spaghetti on hand, linguine is an excellent substitute, and bucatini can be used for a heartier version of the dish.

Steps to Master Spaghetti alle Vongole

1. **Select Fresh Ingredients**: Ensure you have fresh small clams and quality parsley.
2. **Prepare the Clams**: Rinse the clams thoroughly to remove any sand.
3. **Cook the Pasta**: Boil the pasta in lightly salted water.
4. **Create the Sauce**: In a pan, cook the clams with garlic, olive oil, and white wine until the clams open, then add parsley.
5. **Combine and Serve**: Toss the cooked pasta with the clam sauce and serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

The freshness of your ingredients will significantly impact the final dish, making spaghetti alle vongole a true celebration of quality seafood and traditional Italian cooking. Enjoy this classic dish with a glass of your chosen white wine to complete the experience.

Source
www.epicurious.com