Nonna Maria's Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

While the spaghetti cooks in salted boiling water, prepare the sauce.

Heat up some olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and chili pepper, to taste. When the garlic is golden, add the anchovies , olives, capers , and walnuts .

Let the mixture cook for about 1 minute before pouring the crushed plum tomatoes into the pan. Cook for approximately 10 minutes on medium heat.

About a minute before the al dente stage, drain the spaghetti and add it to the saucepan , allowing it to finish cooking in the sauce. Sprinkle the spaghetti with freshly chopped parsley and transfer to a warm plate. Serve immediately.

If you like a spicy sauce, add the seeds along with the pepper. If not the pepper is optional.