Spaghetti alla Natalina
Spaghetti alla Natalina is a classic Italian dish directly from the countryside of Naples. This pasta features fresh, hearty ingredients that many Italian farmers keep on hand all year round - another reason why we love it so much. No matter where you are in the world, this pasta is guaranteed to transport your taste buds to Italy with just a few simple ingredients.
- Prep time
- 14 min
- Cook time
- 31 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 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
- 1
Heat a pan on medium to low heat and add a drizzle of EVOO.
- 2
Add crushed garlic to the pan, plus a dash of water, to prevent it from burning.
- 3
Add chopped chilis and 2 to 3 anchovies.
- 4
Continue stirring the anchovies until they are completely dissolved into the liquid.
- 5
Once anchovies have disappeared, add the pine nuts, sultanas, crushed walnuts, and capers to the pan.
- 6
Continue stirring the ingredients together until they’re well combined.
- 7
Next, add the cherry tomatoes and let them to cook for at least 5 minutes.
- 8
After 5 minutes, gently press the tomatoes until they release their juice.
- 9
Add a splash of water to the tomato juice.
- 10
Now, add a few tbsps of passata to the sauce to make it thicker and creamier.
- 11
Add the halved olives and fresh parsley, stirring just for a minute.
- 12
Generously season with salt and pepper.
- 13
After the pasta has been cooked, add a cup of pasta water to finish the sauce.
- 14
Boil the water, adding a generous amount of salt.
- 15
Cook spaghetti according to the instructions on the box.
- 16
Reserve a small cup of pasta water.
- 17
Collect the pasta using tongs and a small strainer.
- 18
Add pasta to the pan with the sauce and mix togetherthoroughly.
- 19
If necessary, add a few more splashes of pasta water.