Spaghetti alla Natalina: The Crazy Delicious Italian Pasta Your Taste Buds Will Love
Spaghetti alla Natalina, is an incredible, classic Neapolitan pasta dish. It is packed with delicious flavors and uses ingredients most of us have sitting in our pantry at home.
The real star of this dish comes from a surprising source: Anchovies. If you’re like me and you don’t love anchovies, don’t panic! Once this dish is fully cooked, the anchovies will be dissolved, and their flavors will incorporate into the sauce creating a flavor profile like no other.
Thanks to Virginia from La Gustosa Idea for introducing me to this scrumptious Southern Italian dish.
Watch the Spaghetti alla Natalina video recipe:
Crazy Delicious Anchovies Pasta That Will Make Your Taste Buds Jump For Joy!
Vincenzo’s Plate Tips
Buy Extra Thick Spaghetti
Of course, you can choose any spaghetti you like for this recipe, but I prefer to use a thicker option. The sauce for spaghetti allaNatalina is extra delicate, and choosing a thicker pasta will allow it to fully absorb all of its delectable flavors.
Break Up The Walnuts
Walnuts pack a ton of flavor, although they can be difficult to eat if not chopped thoroughly. If you notice that your walnuts are a bit chunky, don’t be afraid to break them up into smaller pieces.
Save The Pasta Water
Pasta water is the secret ingredient that makes any sauce taste even richer and more flavorful. I always reserve an extra cup for the finishing touches on my dish. Additionally, you can also add more if you think that your sauce isn’t as juicy as you’d like.
Collect The Pasta Gently
Now, most of us are used to draining the pasta directly over the strainer, but I like to use an alternative method by collecting the pasta with tongs and gently removing a small amount at a time. This allows the pasta to retain plenty of moisture without becoming too soggy or losing its shape.
How to Serve Spaghetti alla Natalina
Spaghetti alla Natalina, a genuine Italian comfort food, serves as the ideal dish for any occasion. Moreover, it offers versatility as you can tailor the ingredients to match your preferences. Should you desire to elevate its gourmet allure, incorporate an abundance of capers and fresh parsley. Conversely, opt for simplicity by sticking to the classics – the decision rests entirely in your hands!
Spaghetti alla Natalina
Print Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- wooden spoon
- large pot
- Tongs
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 300 grams Spaghetti, 11 oz Spaghetti
- 80 grams California walnuts, 3 oz. California walnuts
- 1 handful Pine nuts
- 1 handful Sultanas
- 1 handful Halved black olives
- Fresh chopped parsley, as much as preferred
- 250 grams Cherry tomatoes, 9 oz.
- 3-5 tbsp Passata, or blended peeled tomatoes
- 2 Cloves of garlic
- 1 Chili pepper
- 2-3 Fresh anchovies
- 5-6 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, EVOO
- Salt and pepper, as much as required
- 1 handful Capers, optional
Instructions
To Make The Sauce:
- Heat a pan on medium to low heat and add a drizzle of EVOO.
- Add crushed garlic to the pan, plus a dash of water, to prevent it from burning.
- Add chopped chilis and 2 to 3 anchovies.
- Continue stirring the anchovies until they are completely dissolved into the liquid.
- Once anchovies have disappeared, add the pine nuts, sultanas, crushed walnuts, and capers to the pan.
- Continue stirring the ingredients together until they’re well combined.
- Next, add the cherry tomatoes and let them to cook for at least 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, gently press the tomatoes until they release their juice.
- Add a splash of water to the tomato juice.
- Now, add a few tbsps of passata to the sauce to make it thicker and creamier.
- Add the halved olives and fresh parsley, stirring just for a minute.
- Generously season with salt and pepper.
- After the pasta has been cooked, add a cup of pasta water to finish the sauce.
To Make The Pasta:
- Boil the water, adding a generous amount of salt.
- Cook spaghetti according to the instructions on the box.
- Reserve a small cup of pasta water.
- Collect the pasta using tongs and a small strainer.
- Add pasta to the pan with the sauce and mix togetherthoroughly.
- If necessary, add a few more splashes of pasta water.
Video
Here I have 2 perfect recipes you can pair with Spaghetti alla Natalina to make an incredible light and delicious menu!
- GRILLED ZUCCHINI. Fresh mint, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, the crunch of almonds—this dish has everything you want from a refreshing antipasto.
- CAPRESE SALAD is made up of the freshest, sweetest tomatoes you can find, aromatic basil and of course, luscious slices of mozzarella cheese. It is sooo simple but there are a few important steps to follow which make ALL the difference when combining these three key ingredients.
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