Aglio e Olio with Farro Spaghetti, Kale and Hazelnut Breadcrumbs
Taste a traditional sauce from the Abruzzo area of Italy with this wonderful pasta dish.
Ingredients
- Salt and pepper
- 10-12 large Tuscan or black kale leaves, stemmed
- About 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup hazelnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 pound farro spaghetti or whole wheat spaghetti
- 8-10 good-quality jarred anchovies
- 1 red chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 5-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Preparation
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the kale and cook until just tender, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate with tongs, let cool and thinly slice. Reserve the pot of water.
In a small skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon EVOO, one turn of the pan, over medium heat. Add the butter and heat until foaming. Add the panko and nuts and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; season with salt, pepper and the parsley.
Bring the reserved pot of water to a boil, drop in the spaghetti and cook to al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the starchy cooking water.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat about 5 tablespoons EVOO over medium heat. Stir in the anchovies until they melt into the EVOO. Lower the heat a bit, stir in the chili pepper and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the kale; season with nutmeg.
Stir the reserved strachy cooking water into the sauce and kale. Add the pasta and toss for 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve the pasta in shallow bowls and top with the hazelnut breadcrumbs.
