With their crisp acidity and fresh fruit flavors, Sicily’s wines are versatile when it comes to food pairing. In general, white wines are better with lighter-bodied foods and fresh cheeses, while reds pair naturally with richer dishes. That said, white wine lovers can rely on Grillo to complement the entire meal, from pasta to grilled white meats and goat cheese. And the go-to for red-wine lovers is Nero d’Avola, which matches with everything from antipasti to grilled meats.
Add spicy sausage to your traditional spaghetti for a boost of extra flavor, and top with just a bit of parmesan cheese. The notes of a Nero d’Avola from Sicilia DOC will match this dish perfectly.
Ingredients:
Directions:
In a large skillet, brown sausage whole over medium heat for about 15 minutes, turning regularly. Remove when browned and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and soften on medium heat.
Pour in tomatoes and tomato sauce; mix in salt, ground black pepper, basil, oregano, bay leaf and pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, breaking up the whole tomatoes Slice the sausage in the bias into 2 inch lengths and add it to the sauce. Remove and discard bay leaf.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente; drain.
Gently mix prepared sauce and sausage with hot pasta and serve, garnishing with the parmesan curls. Makes 6 servings.