Monday, April 19. 2010

Pasta Fra Diavolo

Continuing my recipe contest participation, I recently won the above dried ground hot pepper of Calabria from The Foodie Blogroll. The pepper is medium-hot, about the same level as Gephardt's chili powder, but has a hint of smokiness about it kind of like Aleppo Pepper.  I have no idea how I'll use 1/2 a kilogram; I've already given 8oz away.

I also adore the phonetic italenglish spelling of the label.  Shows you what the Italian on many American brands looks like to someone who actually speaks it.

As part of the victory, I had to promise to post a recipe to go with it, so here goes. What else would you do with pepperoncini di Calabria?  Pasta fra Diavolo, of course!  This is an easy-weeknight version. Click through for recipe.

  • 1 lbs dried spaghetti, linguine, or fettucine
  • 1 lbs raw shrimp, peeled
  • 28-oz can of diced tomatoes, drained
  • 14-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tsp hot Calabrian pepper
  • 1/2 large onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbs light olive oil
  • salt
  • ground parmigiano (optional)
  • pasta pot, large deep pan

Heat at least 4 quarts salted water in the large pasta pot.

Heat the olive oil in the large pan.  Saute the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent. Add the pasta to the pasta pot and set a timer for 8-10 minutes while you finish the sauce.

Add the diced tomatoes and the calabrian hot pepper.  Saute, stirring, for 3-5 minutes.  Put the shrimp in and saute for another 3 minutes or so, or until the shrimp just start to turn pink in spots.  Add the crushed tomato and cook for another few minutes, until the tomato is simmering and the shrimp is done.  Salt to taste, and add more hot pepper if it's not spicy enough.

At some point while the sauce is cooking, the pasta will be done.  Drain and serve in pasta bowls, spooning sauce over each serving of pasta and allowing diners to add cheese if they want.

Serves 4 as a main dish, 6-8 as a primo piatto.

Posted by The Fuzzy Chef in Recipes at 14:03 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)
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I love what you did with the pepper powder! I will have to try it with some of my powder! :)
#1 Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen (Homepage) on 2010-04-20 05:17 (Reply)
This is one of my favorite dishes. I'd could eat it every day. Thanks for the recipe. I know what's on the menu for Sunday dinner
#2 fitzie on 2010-04-20 23:50 (Reply)
Awesome recipe-really like what you did with your pepper powder.
#3 Velva (Homepage) on 2010-04-21 10:28 (Reply)

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