Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Pasta with Clams: Sicily’s Timeless Coastal Classic
Discover the authentic recipe for pasta with clams, a simple yet elegant seafood dish that captures the very essence of the Mediterranean.
📖 What is it
Discover the authentic recipe for pasta with clams, a simple yet elegant seafood dish that captures the very essence of the Mediterranean.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 320g spaghetti or linguine
- ✓ 1kg fresh clams
- ✓ half a glass of dry white wine
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ a small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil, as needed
- ✓ salt, to taste
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Dive into the true scents of Sicily with this pasta and clam dish, a celebration of fresh, honest ingredients from the sea. The fragrant garlic gently sizzling in extra virgin olive oil, a splash of crisp white wine, and the briny sweetness of fresh clams will whisk you away to the sun-kissed Sicilian shores, where tradition and flavour come together in every mouthful.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Soak the clams in salted water for 2 hours, then rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any sand.
- 2
Place them in a large pan, cover with a lid, and cook over a high heat for 2–3 minutes until they open, adding the white wine as they cook.
- 3
Remove the clams as they open, strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve, and set it aside.
- 4
In a wide frying pan, gently sauté the whole (or chopped) garlic in plenty of extra virgin olive oil, taking care not to burn it.
- 5
Add the clams along with some of the strained cooking liquid, season with chopped parsley and a grind of black pepper.
- 6
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until just al dente, then drain and add it to the pan with the clams.
- 7
Toss over a high heat for 1–2 minutes, adding a splash of the pasta cooking water if needed to create a silky sauce.
- 8
Finish with extra chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a brighter twist, add halved cherry tomatoes during cooking for a splash of colour and sweetness.
- •
If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of chilli in the garlic oil adds a lovely kick without overpowering the delicate clams.
- •
Choose good-quality spaghetti or linguine to enhance the texture and help soak up the sauce beautifully.
- •
For a vegetarian take, swap the clams for sautéed chestnut mushrooms, keeping the garlic and parsley aroma intact.
- •
To deepen the flavour, let the clams purge in salted water for at least an hour before cooking to remove any grit.
- •
For a gluten-free option, use rice or corn pasta, which won’t compromise the dish’s authentic taste.
- •
The secret to this dish lies in simplicity and the quality of ingredients, blending perfectly to create a harmonious flavour.
📦 Storage
- • Enjoy your pasta with clams fresh from the pan to savour its full flavour and freshness.
- • If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 24 hours to keep the clams’ texture intact.
- • Avoid freezing, as this can affect the delicate nature of the clams and alter the dish’s texture.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this pasta with a Sicilian white wine such as Grillo or Catarratto, which beautifully complement the dish’s fresh, maritime notes. Alternatively, an Etna Bianco offers a pleasant minerality that works wonderfully with seafood. If you prefer wines from other regions, a Ligurian Vermentino or a Friulian Sauvignon Blanc are excellent choices to balance the dish’s savoury and delicate flavours.
Making pasta with clams is like bringing a little piece of Sicily to your table — full of authentic flavours and seaside traditions. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a go; it’s perfect for sharing special moments with loved ones, celebrating the simple, genuine joys of island cooking.
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