Spaghetti with Clams, Zucchini Flowers, and Saffron
Category: First Courses
Servings: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 320g |
| Fresh clams (Vongole veraci) | 1kg |
| Zucchini flowers | 200g |
| Saffron threads | 2g |
| White wine | 65g |
| Garlic | 3 cloves |
| Fresh parsley | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | To taste |
| Fine salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Coarse salt | 2 tablespoons |
Instructions
To prepare this delicious and aromatic Spaghetti with Clams, Zucchini Flowers, and Saffron, start by cleaning the clams. Place them in a bowl with water and add coarse salt, allowing them to soak for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally and change the water a couple of times until you see no more sand.
While the clams are soaking, prepare the zucchini flowers by carefully removing the inner pistils.
Once the clams are clean, bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta. In a large skillet, heat some extra virgin olive oil with 2 cloves of garlic. Raise the heat and deglaze with white wine. Cover the skillet and let the clams cook until they open, releasing their natural juices. Once the clams are open, drain them, reserving the cooking liquid in a bowl.
When the water for the pasta is boiling, add a pinch of salt and cook the spaghetti until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, move on to the zucchini flowers. In the same skillet used for the clams, heat a bit more olive oil with one garlic clove. Add the zucchini flowers, season with salt, and sauté briefly. Add a splash of the clam cooking liquid to the pan and cook until the flowers soften. Remove the garlic from the pan once it has released its flavor.
In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in a couple of tablespoons of pasta cooking water to release their vibrant color and flavor.
When the pasta is ready, add the clams to the zucchini flowers in the skillet. Drain the spaghetti directly into the skillet, reserving some of the pasta water. Pour the remaining clam cooking liquid into the pan and toss everything together, letting the flavors meld. Finally, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and a dash of black pepper.
Serve immediately, garnishing with more fresh parsley for a vibrant and flavorful dish.
This Spaghetti with Clams, Zucchini Flowers, and Saffron is a wonderful balance of delicate sea flavors and the earthy, aromatic notes of saffron, making it an unforgettable meal perfect for any occasion. The key to success lies in the freshness of the ingredients and the careful balance of the seafood with the fragrant flowers and spices. Enjoy a true taste of Italian coastal cuisine right at your table!
