Penne Puttanesca

Penne Puttanesca
Recipe courtesy Mario Batali


Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
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1/2 pound young zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick, into 1/2 moons
2 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin
12 large leaves basil, torn in 1/2
1 pound can tomatoes, roughly chopped, retaining seeds and liquid
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons salt packed giant capers, rinsed of salt and drained
1/4 cup tiny black olives
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons kosher or sea salt
1 pound dried penne pasta
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly cracked black pepper
In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, garlic, basil, tomatoes, olive oil, capers, olives, lemon juice, salt. Allow to stand in cool place for 1/2 hour.
Meanwhile, bring 6 quarts water to boil in spaghetti pot and add 2 tablespoons salt. Drop the penne in the pot and cook according to the package instructions until "al dente", about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and add the pasta to the cool vegetables in the mixing bowl. Toss in chili flakes more basil and cracked black pepper. Stir gently to mix well and serve immediately.
Note: this dish is not served hot.