Melted Leek Pasta with Anchovies, Chili, and Black Pepper

• timp total: 25 minutes

Ingrediente

Olive oil

1 pound 3 oz leeks, dark green parts removed, and the white and light green part thoroughly cleaned and thinly sliced

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 two oz tin of anchovies, drained

Chili flakes, to taste

Lemon zest and juice

A couple of tbsp of butter

12 oz pasta

1/2 cup toasted chopped nuts (I used a mix of pistachios and pecans)

Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste

Freshly grated parm

Instrucțiuni

Coat the bottom of a pan with a very generous glug of olive oil. Heat over medium low

Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until the leeks are melted and starting to caramelize, about 20-30 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed throughout the process.

Add the drained anchovies along with the chili flakes and use your spoon to break up the anchovies. Increase the heat if needed, until the anchovies are fully emulsified into the leek mixture. Add a ton of freshly ground pepper. Think cacio e pepe amounts, or less to taste. Add the zest of 1 lemon then taste to adjust seasoning.

Add a 1-2 ladlefuls of pasta water and simmer briefly until saucy and thickened. Add the cooked pasta, along with the butter, toasted nuts, and lemon juice and toss to combine. Add more pasta water if needed.

Serve with lots of freshly grated parm!