Spaghetti with anchovies and breadcrumbs is a pasta loved in Sicily.
It's one of the dishes called Cucina Povera in Italy.
``Cucina Povera'' literally translates to ``Poor Kitchen'' or "Peasant Cooking"and refers to the cuisine of the working class people.
There are also dishes called "Cucina Ricca"- Rich Cuisine.
The essence of home-cooking is found in Cucina Povera.
It's full of wisdom and the spirit of eating without waste, it's simple and very delicious.
This spaghetti with anchovies and breadcrumbs was made with breadcrumbs from leftover bread.
It is such a great idea to infuse the rich flavor of anchovies and garlic into leftover bread. Only 6 ingredients are needed: breadcrumbs, anchovies, garlic, salt, olive oil, and spaghetti to create this great meal. How simple is that!
Off course, parsley, pepper fakes, and/or lemon zest can be added for more flavor. And the infused breadcrumbs can be stored for weeks in an air tight container.
Ingredients
6 garlic cloves, chopped
6 anchovies, chopped
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
Directions
Put 1/4 cup of olive oil and breadcrumbs into a frying pan and fry until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Set aside.
Add 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic to the same frying pan and heat over low heat.
When the garlic smells good add the anchovies and stir-fry over low heat for about 30 seconds while mashing them finely with a wooden spatula.
Add the breadcrumb mixture and cook another 5 minutes or so, until the color gets darker. Be careful not to burn them. Season with salt and pepper.
Cool and store in an air tight container
How to make pasta with the breadcrumbs
Cook 1/2 lb pasta one minute less than the package recommends, and save 1 cup pasta water
Drain the pasta and put it back in a pot and add 1 tablespoon of butter
Add 1/4 cups of pasta water and emulsify the pasta as cooking
Add the breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup chopped herbs, such as parsley, if you want to use
Season with salt and pepper and cook until the pasta is done
・Fry the anchovies over low heat as the oil may splatter
・To enjoy the crunchy texture of the breadcrumbs, stir-fry them until they turn brown
・It's also delicious if you add crushed red pepper
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