Ingredients

  • 6 quarts water
  • salt
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 6 anchovy fillets, cut into small pieces
  • 2 14 lbs ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 12 bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped to yield 1/8 cup (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 pinch dried red chili pepper flakes
  • 12 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 2 tbsp. for pasta)
  • freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Method

  • Bring 6 qts.
  • of water to rolling boil and add 2 teaspoons salt.
  • In a bowl, combine garlic, anchoviees, tomatoes, parsley, chili flakes, and oil.
  • Mix well.
  • (Mario suggests making this a couple of hours in advance and allowing it to sit at room temperature).
  • Cook pasta according to the package directions until just al dente and drain.
  • Refresh in an ice bath until cool and drain well.
  • Toss with 2 tablespoons oil to prevent sticking.
  • Mix the cool pasta with the room temperature tomato sauce, pour the pasta into a serving dish, sprinkle with remaining parsley and add Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste.
  • Serve immediately.