Ingredients
Salt and pepper
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound bulk Italian hot sausage
2 ribs celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1/3 palmful fennel seeds
1 bay leaf
2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup vermouth or white wine
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley
24 mussels, scrubbed and debearded
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook to just shy of al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain. While the pasta is working, in a large, deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat the EVOO, two turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Crumble in the sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, garlic, fennel seeds and bay leaf and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cover, increase the heat to high and cook until they burst, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-high and pour in the vermouth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Stir in the parsley, season with pepper and add the mussels. Cover the pan and cook until the mussels open, about 2 minutes (discard any that do not open). Add the pasta and toss to combine. Let stand for 2 minutes, then gently toss again and serve.
