Spaghetti all'Assassina: What's The Killer Spaghetti All About?

Assasin's Spaghetti

Known in English as Assasin's Spaghetti, this dish isn't necessarily famous for its sauce like most Italian pasta recipes. Instead, it's applauded for the way in which its prepared. The pasta is not cooked al dente in salted water, but sautéed in a cast-iron skillet with the other ingredients and then cooked by adding water little by little while stirring - almost like a  risotto. 

But does seared spaghetti taste any good? Yes, it does actually. And we dare you to try out the recipe below.

By the way, the name has nothing to do with criminal activity. The chef who invented the dish, Enzo Francaville recieved nothing but praise when he whipped it up for guests, who described it as "murderously good". We can see why.

The Recipe

Ingredients (for 6 people):

• 6 oz. spaghetti
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 dried chili peppers
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup strained tomatoes
• 2 tbsp oregano (optional)
• 2 basil leaves
• Salt 

Instructions:

1. Heat a pot of water. Put in a pinch of salt, and once boiled, dissolve the tomato paste in it.
2. Peel and chop the garlic cloves, and cut the chili peppers into fine rings.
3. Heat the olive oil in a pan on low heat, and sauté the garlic and chili. Once the garlic begins to smell fragrant, add the strained tomoatoes. Bring to a simmer while stirring.
4. Add the uncooked spaghetti to the sauce, and gently press it in so that it's completely covered in sauce.
5. Continue to simmer until the spaghetti is lightly browned. Gradually add the tomato paste dissolved in the water, and ladle by ladle, as soon as the spaghetti has completely absored the liquid, and the whole thing becomes dry.

Ready!

Once the spaghetti is al dente, the dish is ready.

Garnish with basil and serve with a a glass of red wine. Buon appetito!