Maccheroni " Alla Chitarra"

This spicy recipe comes from the Province of Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy and the "chitarra" (guitar string-shaped pasta), is made with an 'instrument' shaped like a guitar that is easy to find in any market in Abruzzo. I am posting this dish from Abruzzo as part of the Food, Friends, and Family game. None of the other Italian recipes already posted here reflect the special foods created in this region on the south west coast. NOTE*** The original recipe didn't say if the lamb and pork were ground or chopped so you can prepare it according to your choice. If you do not happen to own one of the "chitarra" guitar shaped instruments for cutting, just cut the pasta into long narrow strips which are about 24 inches long. The flavors will be the same.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Pasta dough

• 3  cups flour, plus
• 1  tablespoon flour
• 6  eggs (1 egg per person)

• Meat Sauce

• 1  cup lamb (ground or chopped)
• 1  cup  lean pork (ground or chopped)
• 2  quarts  canned peeled tomatoes (64 ounces)
• 1  teaspoon butter
• 1  cup olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped carrot
• 1  teaspoon salt

• Pasta Additions

• 1  hot red chili peppers, chopped fine or 1  teaspoon  dried chili pepper flakes, sauteed in
• 3  tablespoons olive oil, and strained, keeping the oil to add to the finished pasta
•  freshly grated parmesan cheese (quantity optional)

Directions

1. Place the meats, tomatoes, butter, oil, onion and carrot into a large pan and cook over medium-low heat about an hour stirring occasionally.
2. While the sauce is cooking place the flour in a mound onto a board which has a depression on the top into which the eggs have been placed; or place into a bread machine on the dough setting, removing after kneading is finished.
3. Knead the pasta dough, for about 35-40 minutes if making by hand.
4. Roll out the completely kneaded dough into a large sheet, or use a pasta machine to roll out if you are fortunate enough to have one.
5. Cut the sheet into 8 x 24 inch rectangles.
6. Lay each rectangle length-wise over the"chitarra" and push down on each one with the rolling pin to make the macaroni, OR cut into narrow strips so that it looks like something between spaghetti and a narrow fettuccine noodles.
7. Bring water to a boil in a large pot.
8. Add the salt to the water.
9. Add pasta and boil until they float to the top of the pot or is cooked until ala’dente.
10. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water.
11. Add sauce to the pasta immediately.
12. Before serving add the few drops of oil in which the hot pepper has been sautéed and toss lightly through the pasta.
13. Serve hot topped with Parmesan Cheese.