Description
Pici all’aglione is a traditional Tuscan pasta dish made with hand-rolled pici noodles tossed in a rich tomato and garlic sauce. Sweet, slow-cooked garlic, ripe tomatoes, and a touch of chili create a rustic, comforting meal that captures the heart of authentic Italian cooking.
Ingredients
For the pici:
200 g (1.6 cups) flour
100 g (3.4 fl oz) water
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the sauce:
6 cloves garlic
1 chili pepper
700 g (1.54 lbs) ripe red tomatoes
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 pinch sugar
1 pinch salt
Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the pici: In a large bowl, combine flour, olive oil, and water. Mix first with a fork, then knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough to about 1 cm thick and cut into strips. Roll each strip by hand into long, even noodles. Set aside on a floured tray.
- Prepare the sauce: Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for a few minutes, peel and deseed them, then chop into cubes.
- Finely chop the chili pepper and crush the garlic into a paste (skins can stay on if using a garlic press).
- In a large pan, warm olive oil over very low heat. Add the garlic and a spoon of warm water, letting it melt gently without browning. Stir in the chili.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the sauce becomes thick and creamy. Season with vinegar, a pinch of salt, and sugar to balance the flavors.
- Cook the pici: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pici for 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce.
- Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Cook garlic very gently to keep it sweet and creamy, not bitter.
Use fresh ripe tomatoes for the most authentic flavor, or substitute good-quality canned peeled tomatoes.
Add fresh basil or parsley for extra freshness before serving.
Balance acidity with a touch of vinegar and sugar — a Tuscan secret for perfect sauce.
Pici can be made ahead and frozen raw; cook directly from frozen when needed.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Handmade Pasta, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
