Il Cucinologo
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Tagliatelle with Chickpea Cream and Clams

17/11/2023

Tagliatelle with chickpea cream and clams is a dish that combines the tradition of Italian pasta with the flavors of the sea and the land. Here is the recipe for this delicious dish:

Ingredients

  • 300 g egg tagliatelle
  • 400 g carpet clams (preferably already purged)
  • 250 g cooked chickpeas (you can use canned ones)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
  • 150 ml vegetable broth
  • 50 ml white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by purging the clams if they haven’t been already, leaving them in salted water for at least an hour. Then rinse them repeatedly under running water to remove any residue.

  2. In a large pan, sauté one garlic clove in extra virgin olive oil and add the clams. Pour in the wine and cover. Cook until the clams have opened. Remove the clams with a slotted spoon and strain their cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve.

  3. Remove the shells from the clams and set aside both the shelled clams and their liquid.

  4. Meanwhile, sauté the remaining garlic clove in olive oil and add the chickpeas. Let them flavor for a few minutes, then pour in the vegetable broth and cook for about 10 minutes.

  5. Remove the garlic and transfer the chickpeas to a blender or use an immersion blender to create a smooth cream. If necessary, adjust salt and pepper.

  6. Cook the tagliatelle in plenty of salted water according to the package instructions.

  7. While the pasta cooks, combine the chickpea cream with the clam liquid in a pan. Stir together over low heat to blend the flavors.

  8. Drain the tagliatelle al dente and transfer them to the pan with the chickpea cream and clam cooking liquid. Add the shelled clams and a pinch of chopped parsley. Toss everything together with the chickpea cream to combine.

  9. Serve the tagliatelle hot and, if desired, sprinkle with additional fresh chopped parsley.

Fun Fact

The pairing of legumes and seafood is not uncommon in Mediterranean cuisine, and particularly in Italian cuisine. Chickpeas provide a soft and comforting cream that pairs perfectly with the sea flavor of the clams, creating a balanced dish rich in flavors.

Enjoy!