A simple classic, Pasta alla Puttanesca (prostitute style pasta, ahem) is a spicy Italian dish believed to have emerged between the 50′s and 60′s but the origins of the name are still a bit of a mystery.

Mediterrasian.com  a blog that celebrates the health benefits of both Mediterranean and Asian cuisine shares their puttanesca recipe and explains “the name of this robust pasta dish originated in Naples after the local women of easy virtue…and all the ingredients are just as easy to get your hands on.”

Or does Bitchin’ Kitchen have it right when Nadia G states with her version “…prostitutes were only allowed to shop at local markets once a week, and so whatever they bought had to last.”  

Do you have a theory? How about giving it a try and see if you can figure it out. Just watch this month’s Recipideo Roundup feature video “Pasta with Spicy Tuna Sauce” while keeping in mind just a few substitutions and additions.

While sauteing the onion simply add the following ingredients before adding the tomatoes.

• 1 tsp hot chili flakes (or substitute with 2 tbsp La Bomba)
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 4 chopped anchovy fillets
• a handful of  your favorite olives
• 2 tbsp of capers.

Proceed as shown in the Recipideo and finish with freshly chopped parsley. Some “puttanesca” recipes include tuna while others don’t, so the choice is yours. Check out the fully adapted and printable recipe on our recipe page.

Give it a try tonight, but before you devour it completely send us a picture so we can automatically enter you in this month’s Recipideo Roundup.

Just watch cook and share your version of the Recipideo Pasta with Spicy Tuna Sauce . You’ll win in more ways than one!

Try Allessia Capers in salt if available (rinsed), but if  you can only find capers in vinegar just rinse them a little more carefully to reduce the acidity as much as possible. Use Aurora canned anchovies, anchovy paste or kick it up a notch with Allessia Anchovies from Sicily.

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