Authentic Italian Vongole Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 kg fresh clams
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 red chillies, finely chopped
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 500 g spaghetti
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Steps and instructions

  1. Start by thoroughly washing the fresh clams under cold running water. Discard any clams that are open and do not close when tapped.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and chillies, sautéing until the garlic begins to turn golden.
  4. Add the clams to the pan and stir well. Pour in the white wine and cover the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until most of the clams have opened. Discard any clams that remain closed.
  5. Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it to the pan with the clams. Toss well to combine the pasta with the clams and the sauce.
  6. Add the chopped parsley, ground black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
  7. Serve the vongole immediately, ensuring that each serving contains an even mixture of clams and pasta.

Tools for making

  • Large pot - For boiling the pasta
  • Large pan - For cooking the clams and combining with the pasta
  • Colander - For draining the cooked spaghetti
  • Knife - For finely chopping the garlic and chillies
  • Cutting board - To provide a surface for chopping the ingredients
  • Tongs - For tossing and serving the vongole
  • Spatula - For stirring the clams and sauce
  • Measuring cup - For accurate measurement of white wine

Recipe variations

  • Add diced tomatoes or tomato sauce to create a tomato-based vongole.
  • Replace spaghetti with linguine or other types of pasta.
  • Add pancetta or bacon for a smoky flavor.
  • Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or thyme for additional aroma and taste.
  • Make it spicy by adding more red chillies or crushed red pepper flakes.
  • For a creamy twist, add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk.
  • Include sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini for extra texture and nutrients.
  • Substitute clams with mussels or a combination of seafood for a mixed seafood pasta.

Recipe overview

Indulge in the flavors of the sea with this classic Italian dish, Vongole. Made with fresh clams, aromatic garlic, and a hint of chili, this pasta dish is a favorite among seafood lovers and pasta enthusiasts alike. Starting with cleaning and preparing fresh clams, you'll infuse the flavours into a white wine sauce before mixing with perfectly cooked spaghetti. The addition of parsley and a touch of black pepper at the end ties everything together, resulting in a dish that's both simple and extravagantly delicious. Expect to spend around 30-40 minutes from start to finish, producing 4 servings of this traditional Italian fare. Savor the briny sweetness of the clams, the heat from the chillies, and the refreshing lift from the parsley. Each bite is a taste of the Mediterranean on your palate. Enjoy this for a delightful weekend meal, or prepare it for a dinner party to impress your guests.

Common questions

  1. How do I know if the clams are fresh? - Look for clams that are tightly closed or close when tapped. Discard any clams that are open and do not close.
  2. Can I use another type of pasta? - While spaghetti is traditional for vongole, you can use other types of pasta such as linguine or fettuccine as well.
  3. Can I substitute the white wine? - If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of seafood broth or vegetable broth.
  4. Can I add other ingredients to the vongole? - Vongole is traditionally made with just clams, garlic, chili, and parsley. However, you can add other ingredients like cherry tomatoes or a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
  5. How can I make the dish less spicy? - If you want to reduce the spiciness, you can decrease the amount of chili or remove the seeds before chopping.

Serving dishes and utensils

Origin stories

Vongole, an iconic Italian dish, particularly hails from the Campania region, where the city of Naples lies. The use of fresh clams, locally called 'vongole veraci', paired with a simple combination of garlic, chillies, and white wine, results in a heavenly pasta dish that truly captures the essence of the Mediterranean. A delightful testament to the Italians' ingenious knack for transforming simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece, Vongole has been a staple of Neapolitan cuisine for centuries. Its preparation, seeped in tradition, involves the biblical practice of purging the clams in water before cooking, ensuring their absolute freshness. This staple dish is a symbol of life along the coast, where the sea gives and the people gratefully receive. While eating this dish, you're not just consuming a meal, you're partaking in a time-honored tradition, a celebration of a coastal way of life that has sustained generations.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.