Spicy pasta with speck and harissa is a first course with a creamy and flavorful sauce, prepared while the pasta is cooking. The harissa, a typical Tunisian sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil, brings the heat. Usually, some spices such as coriander or cumin are also added. Harissa is available in glass jars, cans, and tubes, similar to tomato paste.
It is perfect for flavoring or seasoning a variety of dishes, such as this spicy pasta, to which I’ve also added my beloved speck and zucchini, along with mozzarella cubes that make it even more appetizing and stringy!
If you like spicy dishes, also try these recipes of mine:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 14 oz pasta
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3.5 oz speck (sliced)
- 2 dried peppers in oil
- 2 zucchini
- 1 tablespoon harissa
- 1 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- 4.5 oz mozzarella
- to taste basil (optional)
Steps
To prepare the spicy pasta with Speck and harissa, bring plenty of water to a boil in a large pot, add salt, and put the pasta in.
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
Peel and finely chop onion and garlic. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes. Slice the speck and dried peppers in oil into strips and brown them with the onion and garlic for another two minutes.
Wash the zucchini, cut them in half lengthwise, and then slice them into approximately 1/4 inch thick pieces. Add to the pan, sauté for another minute, then add the harissa and heavy cream, and mix. Salt to taste, bring to a boil, and let it cook on low heat, covered, until the pasta is done.
Meanwhile, drain the mozzarella from its water, cut it into cubes, and set aside.
Drain the pasta al dente, reserving some cooking water. Add the pasta directly to the pan with the sauce and mix well. Add a little cooking water to better combine everything if needed. Add the mozzarella cubes, mix again, and serve your spicy pasta immediately. If you like, add a few basil leaves.
