CONGHILIE WITH CLAMS, MUSSELS, AND BROCCOLI

Conghilie with Clams, Mussels, and Broccoli image

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound conghilie (small shells) pasta
1 pound broccoli, cut into 1-inch florets (about 4 cups)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound small littleneck clams, scrubbed
1 pound mussels, debearded
1 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the broccoli to the pasta water and continue cooking until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, and the broccoli is blanched, about 4 minutes more. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the clams, mussels, and wine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, making sure all the shells have opened. (Discard any shells that remain closed.) Sprinkle with the parsley.
In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, broccoli, and shellfish. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten, and toss to combine. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.