This Anchovy Pasta is my reliable go-to when fresh produce is scarce. Canned anchovies can smell strong on their own, but when cooked they melt into the sauce and act like a savory seasoning rather than a distinct fishy element.
My daughter, Munchkin, adores the savory notes. The idea that young children only like bland food doesn’t apply in our house — I learned that early on when I found my husband letting her lick chili from spiced nuts at nine months old. Rather than being offended, I watched her concentrate and savor the heat and flavor. Since then I’ve felt comfortable introducing more ‘adult’ ingredients — cumin, paprika, soy, fish, and fresh herbs — gradually and in small amounts.
I usually keep canned anchovies, onions, and dried pasta on hand, so this dish requires only a pint of cherry tomatoes to complete. Parsley and Parmesan are lovely finishing touches but optional.
Anchovy Pasta — makes about 2 adult servings plus 1 toddler portion
Ingredients: 2 oz canned anchovies, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 red onion, pasta for about 2.5 servings
a. Chop the onion roughly — we will blend the sauce, so fine dicing isn’t necessary. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
b. Warm a pan with a splash of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the cherry tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes break down and can be gently crushed with a wooden spoon.
c. Add the anchovies directly to the pan (I skip the oil from the can) and break them into small pieces with the spoon so they dissolve into the tomato mixture. Let everything cook together for a couple more minutes. At this point you can start cooking the pasta to the package instructions.
d. Remove the sauce from the heat and blend it with an immersion blender until smooth. For adult servings the sauce is ready now. For a toddler, I pass the sauce through a fine mesh to remove any remaining anchovy bones. If the pasta finishes before the sauce, rinse briefly with cold water or give it a cold bath to stop the cooking.
e. Combine the sauce with the cooked pasta in a warm pan, adding a little more olive oil if you like. Finish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan, if desired.
Serve immediately. Munchkin always eats this with gusto — expect a delightful mess and satisfied appetites.