Cart-Driver's Pasta

When I traveled to Florence a year or so ago, I ate this pasta. It was at a restaurant called Osteria l'Brincello (and it's #13 on tripadvisor.com). The dish is called Pasta alla Carrettiera or Cart Driver's Pasta. You can make it as spicy as you choose.


Pasta alla Carrettiera

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and shredded fine
- 2-3 big fresh tomatoes, peeled and seed
- 4 - 5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- red pepper flakes, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot sauce of your choice
- apprx. 450 g of spaghetti or whatever pasta you choose
- water

How to:

1. Heat water for pasta.
2. Shred the basil by hand and keep a sprig or two for decoration.
3. Meanwhile cook the pasta.
4. For the sauce: add the garlic and sauté for 1 or 2 minutes. Do not brown.
5. Add the tomatoes,the basil, and spicy bits and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon; make sure the sauce does not dry out. Add a tiny bit of water from the pasta cooking water if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Drain pasta and place in a bowl or lay out on a large plate. Season with the tomato sauce and decorate with basil.

So since the tomatoes must be peeled and seeded, I figured I'd add that as well.

Peeled and Seeded Tomatoes:
1- Clean tomatoes. Cut out the stem, and cut a small X into the other end.
2- Blanche the tomatoes (place them in boiling water, then straight into ice water.)
3- Peel from the X.
4- Cut in half and squeeze out the seeds.

It is that easy. I like to add tofu to all my pasta! Top with Parmesan and enjoy!