This traditional pasta most likely originated as a dish for the poor in Southern Italy. Why? First, it required only a few inexpensive ingredients easily found in the pantries of the poor. Second, it was easy and quick to prepare. Third, it provided a tasty meal for families. Now today this simple, delicious pasta dish has become popular throughout Italy and abroad. It appears on restaurant menus throughout Sicily and is often prepared in many Sicilian kitchens.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 500 grams spaghetti
• 5 cloves garlic
• olive oil, 2 tablespoons per person
• red pepper, to taste

Directions:

Pour the olive oil into a frying pan, and add the red pepper and garlic (best in whole cloves if you do not want to eat the garlic).

Fry lightly for a few minutes, being careful not to brown or burn the garlic.

Boil the spaghetti to al dente, drain, and add to the frying pan.

Toss everything in the pan, and then serve. Buon Appetito!