Ep 13. Spaghetti and White Clam Sauce

In the final episode of Lidia's Italy season 1, Lidia Bastianich visits the coastal town of Viesta in Puglia, Italy. Lidia learns how to make the perfect spaghetti alle vongole or spaghetti with white clam sauce like a true Viestano.

Lidia meets with local fishermen who take her out to the open sea to show her how to catch the clams. She is introduced to two types of clams and their respective methods of preparation.

Back in the kitchen, Lidia prepares the spaghetti alle vongole using her newfound knowledge. She starts by preparing the clams, shucking them and adding them to a pot of boiling water with a few aromatics. After the clams open, she takes them out and sets them aside.

Next, it's time to cook the spaghetti. Lidia shares her technique for cooking pasta perfectly al dente every time. Once the spaghetti is cooked, she prepares the white clam sauce. She starts by heating olive oil in a pan and adding garlic, then deglazes with white wine and adds cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes. This is simmered for a few minutes and then the clams are added along with their liquid and a handful of chopped parsley.

Finally, Lidia tosses the cooked spaghetti into the pan with the white clam sauce and gives it a good mix. She plates it up, garnishing with a few more clams and some fresh parsley.

As Lidia sits down to enjoy her meal, she reflects on the beauty of Viesta and the delicious simplicity of the spaghetti alle vongole. She raises a glass of local white wine and says, "Salute!"