SPAGHETTI WITH SMALL CLAMS* (Vongole) For 4

400 g linguini or spaghetti
1 can small clams
1 can peeled tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 tsp crushed chilies

Boil linguini "al dente", in salt water.
Stir fry garlic. Remove when coloured.
Add carefully the water from can containing clams, wine, tomatoes and oregano.
Boil for 10 minutes. Then add clams and boil for no longer than 2 minutes, mostly to reheat them. They will toughen if cooked longer.
Drain linguini, add sauce with clams and keep for 2-3 minutes over high fire.
Add 1/4 tsp crushed chilies, if desired.