In 2018, Food & Wine named this recipe one of its 40 best. Chef Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner in Raleigh, North Carolina, created this version of Spaghetti with clams. Ashley’s method calls for steaming the clams in wine then pureeing the remaining broth with roasted red peppers. This creates a briny, rich sauce that clings to the pasta. Swiss chard counts for your veggie making the dish a delicious one-pot wonder.
Spaghetti with Clams and Braised Greens
Serves 4
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 garlic cloves, crushed
4 dozen littleneck clams
2 cups dry white wine
2 jarred roasted red peppers, drained
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 pound Swiss chard or collard greens, stemmed and chopped (8 cups)
Kosher salt Pepper
1/2 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish
In a large pot, heat 1/4 cup of the oil. Add half of the garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the clams. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes; as the clams open, transfer them to a baking sheet. Discard any unopened clams. Strain the cooking liquid through a sieve into a blender. Add the roasted peppers and puree until smooth.
Wash out the pot, then heat the remaining 1/4 cup of oil in it. Add the remaining garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the crushed red pepper and Swiss chard in batches until the chard is just wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in the roasted pepper broth and season with salt and pepper.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti until al dente; drain. Add the pasta to the Swiss chard mixture along with the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and the 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Add the clams and toss to heat through. Transfer the pasta and broth to shallow bowls, garnish with grated cheese and serve.
Adapted from: Chef Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner in Raleigh, North Carolina/ Food & Wine
