This is so fantastically delicious. The best version I've ever had was at Elizabeth's in Pittsfield, MA. Amazing stuff.

i've actually never heard about this before, but i think that i might have to try it. the question that i have is whether there's an alternative to anchovies that i can use since i don't eat fish. any thoughts?

The anchovies are kind of crucial to the dish. Perhaps a reasonable substitute might be made with capers, but I'm kind of skeptical.

My husband's family makes this as a meal; however, it's a family recipe and must have been altered throughout the years as it is more of a white-ish color and pretty thick. They pour it over thick sliced sourdough and eat it with a fork. You must like garlic and anchovies to eat it! I am not an anchovy fan so the other in-laws and myself (those of us who did not grow up on it!) usually order pizza that night