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Spaghetti con la Colatura di Alici (Pasta with Colatura) Recipe

Sasha Marx

Colatura is another umami bomb to add to your pantry, and plays an essential role in this easy and delicious weeknight pasta dish.

Published: Last Updated:
Spaghetti con la Colatura di Alici (Pasta with Colatura) Recipe

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This pasta dish is the the headstrong, wild umami bomb sibling to traditional aglio e olio. It might be even easier to make, as the sauce is essentially a no-cook vinaigrette that highlights colatura, a specialty aged Italian fish sauce that packs some serious savory seafood flavor in a very small package. You'd be hard-pressed to find a dish that delivers as much of a flavor payload with as little effort or time as this one. It'll knock your weeknight dinner socks off, trust us.

Why It Works

  • This no-cook sauce is really just a simple vinaigrette that highlights the savory depth of colatura.
  • Vigorously tossing the pasta, colatura vinaigrette, and pasta water in a large bowl creates a creamy emulsion that coats the spaghetti.
  • Toasted breadcrumbs strengthen the emulsion and also provide a hint of crunch.

Read more: Quick, Easy, and Delectable: Spaghetti con la Colatura di Alici

  • Yield:Serves 4
  • Active time: 10 minutes
  • Total time:20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (18g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 5 tablespoons (75ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound (450g) dried spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) Colatura, plus extra as needed (see note)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest from 1 lemon

Directions

  1. 1.

    In a small skillet, combine breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until toasted and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a small bowl, and season lightly with salt. Set aside.

  2. 2.

    In a Dutch oven or medium pot, bring 3 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add spaghetti to water and cook, stirring frequently during the first minute to prevent pasta from sticking. Cook pasta until al dente.

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, in a very large bowl, combine colatura, garlic, and pepper flakes. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil, followed by 2 tablespoons (30ml) pasta water, to form an emulsion.

  4. 4.

    Transfer pasta to bowl along with another 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta water and parsley. Vigorously toss and stir pasta to emulsify sauce and coat with noodles. Add breadcrumbs and toss to combine. Pasta should be well-coated with creamy, emulsified sauce. If it seems dry, add extra pasta water, 1 tablespoon (15ml) at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

  5. 5.

    Add lemon zest and taste pasta for seasoning, adding a final splash of colatura if needed. Serve immediately.

This Recipe Appears In
Quick, Easy, and Delectable: Spaghetti con la Colatura di Alici

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