Sugo alla puttanesca

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Sugo alla puttanesca is a robust Italian sauce typically made with kalamata olives, capers, anchovies, tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes. The combination is sautéed in olive oil until thick and fragrant, and it is usually seasoned with salt and pepper, with the optional addition of sugar, garlic, and herbs such as parsley, dried oregano, or basil. Although its origins are not entirely clear, the sauce is believed to have originated in Naples in the mid-20th century. Interestingly, when translated from Italian, the name alla puttanesca means in the style of a prostitute from the Italian word puttana , meaning prostitute or whore . Traditionally, the sauce is enjoyed with spaghetti, but it can also be used with other pasta types such as penne, linguine, or bucatini.