Pasta Shells with Chickpeas, Fennel, Tomatoes & Prosciutto

Ingredients

• Freshly ground black pepper
• 16 large basil leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
• 12 cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters or eighths, depending on size
• ¼ lb. sliced prosciutto, cut into wide strips
• 4 salt-packed anchovies, boned and rinsed (or 8 oil-cured anchovies)
• 4 large cloves garlic
• 1-½ cups cooked, drained chickpeas (or canned, rinsed)
• + 4 more ingredients
• • 1 small bulb fennel, trimmed and coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1 lb. medium-size ribbed pasta shells
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
  • 5 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

Finely chop the anchovies, basil, and garlic and transfer to a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil and set aside. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the shells. When the pasta is almost al dente, add the chickpeas to warm them. As soon as the pasta is al dente, drain it and ...

View full recipe at Fine Cooking