Ingredients
½ cup pine nuts
⅓ cup olive oil
10 to 12 anchovy filets
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp. Calabrian chile paste, 1 tbsp. finely chopped dried pepperoncini (red chili peppers), or 1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 scant tsp. (about 1/3 palmful) fennel pollen or fennel seeds
½ cup dry (white) vermouth
Salt
1 lb. spaghetti or linguini
1 cup (packed) mixed fresh flat-leaf parsley and celery leaves, finely chopped
Lemon wedges, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
Step 2
In small skillet or on a small tray in the toaster oven, toast the pine nuts, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
Step 3
In a large deep skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the anchovies and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until they melt into the oil, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic, chile paste, and fennel pollen. Cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vermouth and reduce heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently while the pasta cooks.
Step 4
Salt the boiling water, add the pasta, and cook 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Step 5
Using tongs, toss the pasta in the sauce, adding cooking water as needed to coat the pasta with the sauce, about 2 minutes. Mix in the parsley and celery leaves. Serve in shallow bowls topped with the pine nuts. Garnish with the lemon wedges.
