Thread: Penne alla Vodka with Shrimp

8 plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and chopped
Salt and Pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup vodka
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 pound penne

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Toss tomatoes with 1 1/2 teaspooons of salt and let drain in colander set over bowl for 5 minutes.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until simmering. Add garlic, tomato paste, and pepper flakes to skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and vodka and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Season shrimp with salt and pepper, add to skillet, and cook until almost opaque, about 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add cream and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, add penne and 1 tablespoon salt to coiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and return to pot. Stir in shrimp sauce and 1/2 cup cooking water. Simmer pasta over medium heat, stirring until liquid is thickened and mostly absorbed, about 1 minute, adding more cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper and serve.