There are two types of people in this world: people who love pasta, and people who really love pasta.
We're firmly in the latter camp, so it goes without saying that we jumped at the chance to partner up with Martini, the original vermouth since 1863, alongside chef and restaurateur Stevie Parle for a one-off collaboration that'll leave your taste buds tingling long after World Pasta Day on 25 October.
It's simple: Stevie harnessed the unique, rich and complex flavours of Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato – an amber-coloured vermouth that uses Moscato d'Asti as a base and three types of wormwood as its flavourings – to replace the white wine in a classic spaghetti alle vongole. Stevie's delicious dish features spaghetti, nduja and steamed clams cooked with Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato premium vermouth. It's finished with a handful of deep-fried chickpeas for texture.
And that's not all: the dish is set off by a refreshing cocktail made to pair with the dish by Martini Northern Europe brand ambassador Davide Zanardo. Named the Piedmontese Fizz, it's built around the Riserva Speciale Ambrato, with Bombay Sapphire gin, fresh lemon juice, gomme syrup, effervescent soda and a hint of absinthe.
Want to try Stevie Parle's recipe and the Martini cocktail for yourself? Course you do. The dish is available at Palatino from World Pasta Day on Thursday 25 October until Sunday 10 November, priced at £21.50, which includes the Piedmontese Fizz cocktail.
Palatino, 71 Central Street, EC1V 8AB; palatino.london
