Linguine with Clams and Fennel

A classic Italian pasta dish combining tender linguine with fresh clams and aromatic fennel in a white wine sauce. The combination of briny clams, sweet fennel, and garlic creates a sophisticated and flavorful seafood pasta.

6 servings
27 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 pound linguine
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • ½ bulb small fennel bulb
  • 6 cloves garlic cloves
  • ¾ cup dry white wine
  • 3 pounds small clams
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fennel pollen
  • toasted and ground

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in another large heavy pot over medium heat. Add chopped fennel and garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, 2-3 minutes. Add wine, then clams. Increase heat to high. Cover and cook until clams open, 4-7 minutes, depending on size of clams. As clams open, use tongs to transfer them to a large bowl (discard any that do not open).

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking liquid to clam juices in pot; bring to a boil. Add pasta to pot. Cook over high heat, tossing constantly, until pasta is al dente and has soaked up some of the sauce, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add clams with any juices from bowl and 2 tablespoons fennel fronds; toss to combine, adding more pasta liquid by tablespoonfuls if dry.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Divide among bowls. Drizzle with oil; garnish with fennel fronds and fennel pollen.

    2 min

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