If you want a taste of Italy, try these tortiglioni with anchovies, radishes and tomatoes.  Don’t shun the thought of anchovies just yet! This salty ingredient is the  secret ingredient in this mouthwatering sauce.

Tortiglioni with anchovies, radishes and tomatoesBelieve it or not, anchovies are making a come back in the States.  Chefs are showcasing this intense flavored fish in a variety of sophisticated dishes like Chef Michael Symon’s dish for roasted brussel sprouts with capers, walnuts and anchovies or chefs Mario Batali and Dave Pasternack’s anchovy and roasted pepper salad with goat cheese. 

Tortiglioni with anchovies, radishes and tomatoesAlthough anchovies might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind, definitely don’t exclude them.  Anchovies are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of ways, whether they are fresh or salt-cured in olive oil. You can melt them down with butter or olive oil in a skillet and spread the flavorful sauce onto a piece of toasted artisan bread then top with stracciatella cheese for a quick bruschetta. Or, how about marinated anchovies, which are a typical Italian recipe proliferate in restaurants along the Mediterranean Sea?

Tortiglioni with anchovies, radishes and tomatoesIf you want a real taste of Italy, cook with anchovies. Their savoriness adds an irreplaceable bold flavor to dishes that are unlike others. My challenge to you: sneak them in various sauces, soups and salads and observe for yourself if anyone can spot that flavor, or if they just tell you that your dish is delicious.

Tortiglioni with Anchovies, Radishes and Tomatoes 
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
If you want a taste of Italy, try these tortiglioni with anchovies, red radishes and tomatoes.  Don’t shun the thought of anchovies just yet! This salty ingredient is the  secret ingredient in this mouthwatering sauce.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ large white onion, thinly sliced 
  • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  • 7 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 20 datterini tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes), cut in half
  • 5 anchovies in oil, cut into pieces
  • 1 fresh sage leaf, torn in pieces 
  • 1 chive stem, torn in pieces 
  • 250g Tortiglioni pasta (or fusilli, penne, or macaroni ecc.) 
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, as needed
Instructions
  1. Put the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet and cook the onions and garlic over medium heat until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the radishes, tomatoes, anchovies, sage and chives and continue to cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5-10 minutes. 
  2. In the meantime, bring a medium sized pot of water to a boil, add the coarse salt and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and return to pot. Pour in the sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and stir until the cheese has melted. Delicious served both warm and cold. 

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