Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chips

Inspiration:
Smitten Kitchen
and
Gourmet

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 2 pounds green Swiss chard, stems and center ribs finely chopped and leaves coarsely chopped separately
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, cut into slivers
• 6 ounces feta, crumbled (1 1/2 cups)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook garlic, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer garlic with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

2. Cook onion in oil remaining in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add currants and cook, stirring, until plumped, about 1 minute.

3. Stir chard stems into onion mixture with water and 3/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in chard leaves and cook, covered, until stems and leaves are tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 5 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water and drain spaghetti.

5. Toss spaghetti with chard, olives, and 1/2 cup cooking water, adding more cooking water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with feta and garlic chips.

Notes:
This made a lot. I should have cut it in half. It's really good!

Liz's Rating: 9/10
Tim's Rating: n/a