Le Marche: Verdicchio with Spaghetti & Clams
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 pound spaghettini
  • 3¼ pounds mussels, scrubbed and bearded
  • 2½ cups dry white wine, such as Verdicchio
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced paper thin
  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped Italian Parsley
Instructions
  1. Place a large heavy pot over high heat. The mussels should be cooked in a single layer. If necessary use two pots, or cook the mussels (in the wine) in batches. When the pot is extremely hot, carefully add the mussels and the wine. Cover tightly, and cook just until the mussels open. Remove from the heat and pour the mussels into a colander set over a bowl to catch the liquid. Set the mussels aside. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl.
  2. Shell half of the mussels, adding the meat to the cooking liquid. Discard the empty shells and any mussels that did not open. Set the remaining mussels aside.
  3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  4. Place the garlic in a large cold saute' pan with the olive oil. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook for about one minute, or just until garlic is soft and translucent. Watch carefully to make sure it does not color at all. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
  6. Just before the pasta is done, add all of the mussels and their cooking liquid to the tomotatoes and olive oil and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
  7. Drain the pasta well in a colander, and shake to remove excess water. Add the pasta to the mussel sauce and stir gently, or combine by moving the parts back and forth to flip the pasta in the sauce. Add the parsley.
  8. Serve the pasta on a warm plate, spooning the sauce and mussels over the spaghettini.
Recipe by Tout va bien! (tm) at https://christymajors.com/le-marche-verdicchio-with-spaghetti-clams/