Whore’s pasta as it is usually described in English. We love to hear the many different stories behind this recipe, but this story is our favourite. “Puttanesca” literally translates to “in the style of prostitutes,” supposedly because the pungent aromas of garlic, anchovies, capers, and olives tossed with pasta were how Neapolitan prostitutes would lead customers to their doors back in the mid-20th century. Very clever if you ask us! The way to a man’s heart (and wallet) is food 😉 A fiery dish sure to get the fire started in the kitchen and in the bedroom 😉

Ingredients

• 400g/4 cups calamarata pasta
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced
• 5 anchovy fillets
• 1 tsp Peperoncino chilli flakes
• 50g/1/2 cup black olives, pitted, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp capers
• 250ml/2 cups tomato passata
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• Salt and pepper
• Small bunch fresh basil roughly chopped

Method

Put a large pan of salted water on to boil. When bubbling, add the pasta, stir, and cook until al dente.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-low heat. Cook the garlic very gently until just beginning to colour, then add the anchovies and stir to dissolve. Stir in the chilli flakes, then the olives and capers, and turn up the heat slightly until you can hear them sizzling.

Add the passata and puree and stir well, then simmer for about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta, then tip into the pan with the sauce and toss well to combine and top with fresh basil. Buon Appetito…

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