Linguini with Littlenecks and Garlic

By ALICJA

Littleneck and mahogany.Though they are delicious raw with just a little lemon juice and Tabasco,I prefer this metod of light steaming and tossing them in fresh pasta.Though freshly made pasta is preferable,a good-quality dry linguini,fettuccine,spaghetti,or tagliatelle can be substituted.If you can find or make squid ink linguini,even better!Don't be frightened by the amount of garlic here-the flavour is huge and the vampires will stay away.

Ingredients

• 500 gr fresh linguini,or other long pasta
• 1 tsp + 1 tsp +2 tsp olive oil
• 8 cloves garlic,minced
• 1 tsp chile flakes
• 1 kg fresh littleneck or mahogany clams,washed thoroughly
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 large fresh ripe tomato,peeled,seeded,and diced
• 3 tbsp chopped Italian parsley

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Fill a large pot with salted water and 1 tsp of olive oil.Add the linguini and boil until cooked.Al dente(firm but not hard)consistency is desired as you will cook the pasta some more with the clams.When the pasta is cooked,drain it,but reserve 2 cups of the cooking water.Toss the noodles with 1 more tsp of olive oil to keep them from sticking and reserve them nearby in a large metal bowl.
In a large skillet able to hold the pasta,warm the remaining 2 tsp of the oil and add the garlic,chile flake,and clams,and cook over medium heat,stirring regularly for 3-4 min.or until the clams just start to open.
Add the wine and lemon juice and cover the skillet with a lid or some foil.Steam the clams for 1-2 min.or until they are open,whichever come first.You want to be careful not to overcook them.
Remove the lid,add the cooked pasta,tomato,and parsley and enough of the reserved pasta water to make a loose broth.Stir in the remaining olive oil,add salt and pepper as desired,and divide immediately among 6 plates or bowels.
Pour any of the broth remaining in the skilled over the pasta.Italians do not typically add parmigiano or Parmesan cheese to seafood dishes,but should you desire,please do so.