Taranto-style mussels, a characteristic appetizer from Puglia known throughout Italy for its deliciousness and ease of preparation.

In Taranto-style mussels, spicy chili pepper is a must, adding a spicy note to the preparation.

Ingredients for Taranto-style Mussels:

Difficulty: Very easy
Cost: Inexpensive
Preparation time: 20 Minutes
Portions: 4 people
Cooking methods: Stove
Cuisine: Italian
Seasonality: All seasons

Tools for Taranto-style Mussels:

Rinse the mussels thoroughly under water, then use a small knife to remove external impurities and remove the beard with a firm motion.
In a large saucepan, put 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a clove of garlic, heat the oil then add the mussels.
Stir well, add a sprig of parsley and the dry white wine, cover with a lid and cook until the mussels open (about 5 minutes), turn off the heat.
In another saucepan, put the remaining extra virgin olive oil, the clove of garlic, and the fresh chili pepper cut into small pieces, let it flavor well then add the canned diced tomatoes and the cherry tomatoes washed and cut into 4 parts, season with salt and pepper, cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
While the sauce is cooking, filter the mussel cooking liquid and add it to the sauce, stir well and let it flavor for 5 minutes, add the mussels (remember not to add the garlic and parsley), stir well and add chopped parsley, stir well and cook for a few more minutes.
Serve the mussels on individual plates, if you like you can add some toasted bread slices.

You can also use Taranto-style mussels as a sauce for pasta, in this case add less mussel cooking broth to have a thicker sauce.

Instead of canned diced tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes, you can use tomato pulp.