Description
This Strozzapreti Pasta with Clams in a Spicy Fresh Tomato Sauce isn’t just a recipe; it’s a celebration of seafood at its finest! This recipe combines plump littleneck clams and pasta with the sun-kissed sweetness of cherry tomatoes, zesty garlic, and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 – 2 1/2 dozen littleneck or middleneck clams
- 12-ounces Strozzapretti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 shallot, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- zest of one lemon, divided
- 5 sprigs fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided
Instructions
- Place the clams in a bowl of cold water with 1/2 tablespoon of flour or salt to purge an excess dirt for about 10-15 minutes.
- Start boiling a pot of water for the pasta.
- While the clams are soaking, in a food processor, combine the tomatoes, shallot, garlic cloves, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, 1/2 lemon zest and fresh parsley.
- Pulse to create a fresh tomato sauce.
- Heat olive oil to medium in a deep saucepan.
- Once heated, add in the fresh tomato sauce and cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Add in the white wine. Turn up the heat to just under a boil.
- Once the pasta water is boiling, salt generously. Add the pasta.
- Drain and rinse the clams. Add them to the sauce.
- Cover. Allow to steam open.
- Add a ladle of the pasta water to the clams as they are steaming.
- If any of the clams do not open after 7-8 minutes, remove and discard.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente.
- Transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the tomato clam sauce.
- Add in a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley.
- Toss to coat in the sauce and cook for just a few more minutes.
- Plate individual servings garnished with fresh parsley, lemon zest. Optionally, sprinkle on a touch more crushed red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Look for fresh littleneck or middleneck clams that are tightly closed.
- Soak the clams for at least 10 minutes with a touch of flour or salt to purge any excess debris or sand. Rinse thoroughly.
- Salt the pasta water.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente prior to adding to the sauce.
- Feel free to substitute Strozzapreti pasta with your favorite shape pasta.
- Add a touch of pasta water to the clams as they are steaming. The starchy water will help enhance the flavor and bind the sauce.
- As the clams are soaking, start on the sauce and boiling the water for the pasta.
- Discard any clams that do not open after steaming as unopened clams are likely dead and can pose a health risk to you if consumed.
- Garnish each dish with fresh parsley and lemon zest to add freshness to the finished dish.
- Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Seafood Pasta
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Seafood