Colatura di Alici – Italian Anchovy Sauce
pasta with anchovy sauce in a dish

Colatura di Alici – Italian Anchovy Sauce

serving of pasta with anchovy sauce on a white plate with a fork
Pasta with Colatura di Alici - Italian Anchovy Sauce
Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
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Colatura di Alici originated in the small fishing town of Cetara in Campania. This liquid sauce originated from garum, used in Roman times as a dressing for all their food. The Roman garum was created by fermenting various types of fish together and then straining off the liquid to use as a flavouring.

bottle of colatura di alici alongside its packing box

Colatura di Alici is made today using just anchovies that are kept in salt inside wooden barrels for forty days. The juice, or colatura, is then strained off and used to dress hot pasta along with garlic, olive oil, and a little lemon juice.

anchovies being laid out in salt within a wooden barrel
colatura di alici being added to a saucepan
serving of pasta with anchovy sauce on a white plate with a fork

Pasta with Colatura di Alici – Italian Anchovy Sauce

Deborah Mele
Colatura is a unique sauce made from anchovies that originates in Amalfi.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine 🇮🇹 Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4 Tablespoons Colatura di Alici
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • Red Pepper Flakes Optional – See Notes Above
  • 6 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley Leaves
  • ¾ Pound Spaghetti
  • ½ Cup Toasted Fresh Homemade Breadcrumbs Optional
  • Zest of 1 Lemon

Conversions

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Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the pasta until it is “al dente”.
  • While the pasta is cooking, mix together the oil, colatura, garlic, red pepper flakes, and parsley in a small bowl.
  • Drain the pasta, then toss the hot pasta with the sauce and lemon zest until the pasta strands are well coated.
  • Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs if using.
  • Serve immediately.

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