Mussels Alla Diavola

Ingredients

• 12 garlic cloves, minced (1/3 cup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
• 1/4 cup drained bottled capers (1 1/4 oz)
• 1/2 cup kalamata olive or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and chopped (3 oz)
• 1/3 cup dry red wine
• 1 lb dried linguine
• 3 lbs mussels, cleaned

Directions

1. 1

   Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   Add tomatoes with puree, tomato paste, herbs, capers, olives, and wine and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes, until sauce is thick, about 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Cook linguine in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain in a colander.

4. 4

   While pasta cooks, increase heat under sauce to moderately high and add mussels, then cook, covered, until mussels just open wide, checking frequently after 3 minutes and transferring to a bowl. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened after 6 minutes.).

5. 5

   Serve linguine with mussels and sauce.