Spaghetti With Walnuts and Anchovies
- 1/2 cup shelled walnuts (2 ounces)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 anchovy fillets, coarsely chopped
- 3/4 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
- freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino (optional)
- Begin heating a large pot of water over high heat.
- Meanwhile, lightly toast the walnuts on a baking sheet in a 375-degree oven for just a few minutes until fragrant, or in a pan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
- When the walnuts smell like theyre beginning to toast, remove them from the heat and transfer to a clean dish towel.
- Wrap them in the towel, and rub between your hands to remove some of the papery shells.
- Chop the nuts medium-fine, and set aside.
- In a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan large enough to accommodate the cooked spaghetti, heat the oil over medium heat and add the garlic.
- Cook, stirring, until it begins to sizzle, and add the anchovies.
- Cook, mashing the anchovies with the back of your spoon or with a fork, for about 30 seconds until they begin to fall apart and melt into the oil.
- Add the walnuts, stir together for about a minute and remove from the heat.
- When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the spaghetti.
- Cook al dente, following the timing recommendations on the package but checking about a minute before the indicated time.
- When the pasta is almost done, add 1/4 cup of the pasta water to the pan with the walnuts and anchovies, and reheat over medium heat.
- When the pasta is ready, drain and toss with the walnut and anchovy mixture.
- Add the parsley, adjust salt if necessary and add pepper.
- Serve, passing the pecorino at the table.
walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, anchovy, spaghetti, flatleaf parsley, freshly ground pepper, freshly grated pecorino
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013716 (may not work)