Vegetarian Amatriciana (pasta)
Amatriciana is an Italian dish from Amatrice, a city in central Italy. Its iconic sauce has been celebrated for at least the last 200 years, known for its rich tomato flavor and a savory-ness enhanced by the guanciale, a salt-cured meat made from pork cheeks. Opting to make a vegetarian version of this classic, we swapped the pork cheeks with Pasilla de Oaxaca chiles, a favorite of ours because its distinctive, smoky flavor has a real meaty savory-ness as well.
This is an easy, classic sauce that exemplifies getting the best out of simple ingredients. Onions, wine, chiles, and tomatoes are simmered together to allow them marry, highlighting the way their inherently terrific flavors create something that is bigger than the sum of their parts. Serve this with plenty of Parmesan cheese and a rustic piece of torn, crusty bread for a hearty, homey, filling dish that is all about flavor from beginning to end.
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Pasilla de Oaxaca Chiles, seeded, veins removed and chopped
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Applewood Flaked Salt
- Black Pepper Medium Grind to taste
- 16 ounces bucatini or rigatoni
- 2-3 ounces Parmesan cheese
- Put a large pot of salted water over high heat. Bring to boil. When water is at a full boil, add pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes or until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Put a large skillet over medium heat, and heat until the oil shimmers.
- Put onions in the skillet and cook approximately 5 minutes, until they turn golden.
- Add Oaxaca chiles to the skillet. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add wine to onions and chiles and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the alcohol cooks off.
- Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook at a slow simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is at its desired thickness.
- Taste sauce. Season with Smoked Applewood Flaked Salt and Black Pepper Medium Grind. Add pasta and mix well, and keep it over heat for a few minutes to make sure everything is heated through. Add half the cheese and mix once more.
- Plate and serve with additional cheese!
