Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Inspired by Jim Carrey

Whenever I see “puttanesca” on a menu, I think of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of...

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Whenever I see “puttanesca” on a menu, I think of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, a movie starring Jim Carrey as “Count Olaf.” If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it – wonderfully creepy original soundtrack. According to IMDb, here is the synposis: “When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents’ vast fortune.”

In one scene, Count Olaf has his wretched friends over and demands that the children make a meal for his guests, using whatever is in the kitchen. The kitchen is absolutely barren, filled with not much more than cockroaches and rotting canned goods. Spotting some pasta in a drawer, the crafty oldest girl decides to make Spaghetti alla Puttanesca. Her smart brother quickly points out that puttanesca pasta is made of “very few ingredients.”

Thanks to Jim Carrey, I always knew the meaning behind Puttanesca. Apparently you can learn from watching TV…. fancy that! Watch a clip from the scene here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo3UnYDcnWc]

While obviously this dish is nothing fancy or creative, it is an Italian classic and therefore, I wanted to Inspiralize it and feature it on the blog. I was a bit hesitant at first to cook with anchovies – they are so unappetizing, locked in that little aluminum tin sitting on the grocery shelves. When I opened the tin and grabbed one, I shuddered a little. If Anthony Bourdain ever read this post, he’d roll his eyes (if you are reading this – I loved Kitchen Confidential!) But man, do they make this pasta dish rock! The second the anchovy hits the skillet, your entire kitchen smells delectable. The flavors of this simple, quick pasta are really surprising- in a great way!

Be careful when you crush the tomatoes with your hands (a suggestion made in Martha Stewart’s puttanesca rendition)…. mine splattered everywhere. Oh, the adventures of an amateur cook…. I decided to make this recipe for one, as I envision my readers curling up on the couch on a rainy summer night watching Lemony Snicket’s and slurping up a bowl of this. Do it – you’ll thank me later.

 

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Inspired by Jim Carrey

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 zucchini Blade C
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1-2 anchovy filets
  • 1 14oz can of whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives*

Instructions

  • Place a large skillet over medium heat and add in olive oil. Once oil is heated, add in garlic and anchovy filet(s). Cook until anchovies mainly dissolve into oil.
  • Over the skillet, crush the whole tomatoes with your hands. Pour in about half of the sauce from the can. Use a wooden spoon to further "crush" the tomatoes. Add in about 1 tsp of the oil from the anchovy tin and the rest of the ingredients (parsley, capers, olives and salt and pepper). Simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until liquid from the sauce is evaporated.
  • Once the sauce is evaporated, add in the zucchini noodles and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until zucchini begins to soften. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*Traditionally, this recipe calls for black or green olives, but I think Kalamatas give it an extra kick and saltiness.

Instructions with Pictures

Place a large skillet over medium heat and add in olive oil. Once oil is heated, add in garlic and anchovy filet(s). Cook until anchovies mainly dissolve into oil.

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Over the skillet, crush the whole tomatoes with your hands. Pour in about half of the sauce from the can. Use a wooden spoon to further “crush” the tomatoes. Add in about 1 tsp of the oil from the anchovy tin and the rest of the ingredients (parsley, capers, olives and salt and pepper). Simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until liquid from the sauce is evaporated.

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Once the sauce is evaporated, add in the zucchini noodles and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until zucchini begins to soften. Enjoy!

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with love, Ali

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  • Spaghetti alla puttanesca actually means whore's style spaghetti, from the Italian word 'puttana'. It's true that it has few ingredients, but that's not what puttanesca means. The sauce originated in Napoli and got its name because it was something quick and easy that a 'lady of the night' could make between clients. That's why when they say: Dinner is served: puttanesca. Olaf says: what did you call me?!
    • Thank you for the clarification! I actually realized this after I put the post up but never changed it. Thanks for commenting! Hope you liked the recipe.
    • Brilliant! Thank you for your site - am pre-ordering your cookbook :)
  • I really hate anchovies! However I know they are cooked in -- do they make the dish very fishy tasting? If I omit them will it be different?
    • The whole taste of a puttanesca is based off the anchovies! It will still taste good, it just won't be a puttanesca, it will just taste like tomatoes! Hope that helps.
  • yum but how many calories
  • This looks amazing, but do you know the calories? I am on the 5:2 diet and would love to have this regularly Thanks!
  • 1 zucchini... How many ounces? Zucchini come in so many shapes and sizes - more specific info would be great. Thank you!
  • How many anchovies? The whole can? It didn't say. The fish is very salty so just wonder. Please let us all know one or two pieces or what? Sounds very tasty and healthy too!
    • Recipe states "1-2 FILETS"
    • It says 1 or 2
  • This is awesome! Tonight is the third time I've made this dish. It is so delicious!
  • Totally trying this! Dinner is 17 minutes is my kinda meal. Thanks!