Whole Wheat Linguine with Manila Clams and Baby Fennel

• Recipe by Dede Sampson

The Hog Island Oyster Company, located near Point Reyes Station, supplies the Bay Area with local farm-raised Manila clams year-round; in other parts of the country, littleneck clams are easier to find in the winter. The juices of these small, quick-cooking clams enrich the anise-scented white wine broth here.

Ingredients

1. 3/4 pound whole wheat linguine or fettuccine
2. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3. 2 baby fennel bulbs or 1 medium fennel bulb—halved, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
4. 2 garlic cloves, chopped
5. 3 dozen Manila or littleneck clams, scrubbed and rinsed
6. 2/3 cup dry white wine
7. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
8. Salt

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the linguine until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the diced fennel and chopped garlic and cook over moderate heat until the fennel is softened, about 10 minutes. Add the clams and the white wine, cover the saucepan and cook over moderately high heat until the clams open, about 5 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.
3. Add the cooked linguine to the clams and toss over moderate heat until the pasta is well coated, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and season with salt. Transfer to warm bowls and serve right away.