This, in the picture, is Alberobello, meaning -beautiful tree-. An image that may seem out of place on an Italian menu, but your host, Roberto and his family, come from this picturesque village in southern Italy, from a typical house of that area called -Trullo-. Hope you like it !

Ingredients

1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon olive oil 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped, (28−ounce. can plum tomatoes) 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar salt & pepper to taste 1/4 Cup chopped fresh basil 1/2 Pound angel hair pasta, (uncooked)

Directions

Saute the garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Do this in a skillet large enough to hold the tomatoes later. Leave garlic in skillet. Place tomatoes, salt & pepper, basil and balsamic vinegar in a non−reactive bowl and set aside for 10 minutes, stirring occassionally. Boil water for pasta. Just before you put the pasta in the water, drain tomatoes and reserve the juice that runs off. (I usually set my colander on a dinner plate). Put the angel hair pasta in the water to cook for the recommended amount of time. Heat your garlic skillet and toss drained tomatoes briefly JUST to heat. They should retain their shape. The pasta should finish cooking (usually no more than 5 minutes for angel hair) at the same time the tomatoes are ready. Toss the pasta and tomato mixture together and serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.