Pasta with sardines
I've heard again and again that it's a good idea to switch to the smaller fish that haven't been overfished, and which are also goldmines of healthy oils. I really love fish, so I decided to start eating more sardines.
I had a few cans of sardines in the cupboard, and I considered cooking them the way my Malaysian neighbor used to, in a spicy tamarind sauce, but I didn't think my 7 year old was quite ready for that. She's not big on hot/spicy foods...yet.
I also had a head of fennel in the fridge, so I decided to make Sicilian-style pasta con sarde. I'd always wanted to make it. I sauteed the fennel with olive oil and garlic, threw in some pine nuts, and then a can of San Marzano tomatoes, some raisins, basil, a splash of white wine, pepper flakes and the two tins of sardines, and let that simmer away for 30 minutes. When it was done, I stirred in a half-pound of cooked pasta. Green beans on the side tossed with fresh thyme.
Shorty grated some Asiago on hers; I sprinkled dried bread crumbs on mine for the authentic Sicilian topping. It was very, very good! An easy, relatively fast, delicious dinner that my kid will eat.
Next time I will add a few anchovies to enhance the sweet/salty/fishy contrasts.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
7 Comments:
Pasta Con Sarde has to be one of my all time favorite dishes. After several years of trying to get my family to eat it, I gave up. I missed it on St. Joseph's Day. Happy to say I'm in a relationship with someone who is a little more adventurous about unusual foods and now he shares my pasta con sarde.
The mention of that dish made me think about something my mom used to make. Mackerel with Onions and Vinegar. OMG. Last I heard, mackerel were safe. I think I need to make that soon.
therealchiffonade at 9:43AM on 07/16/08
Hi, Chiffonade, that mackerel with onions and vinegar sounds good. Is it made with canned mackerel?
Glad to hear that your SO enjoys your pasta con sarde, too.
LadyMarmalade at 9:50AM on 07/16/08
@chiff0nade - is the above YOU? I'm getting corn fused.
PerkyMac at 9:53AM on 07/16/08
i've been wanting to try sardines because of the overfishing issue, but was a bit stuck on dishes aside from putting on crackers. this pasta sounds easy and delicious, must try soon!
marieinla at 2:21PM on 07/16/08
I like alici (anchovies)
JerzeeTomato at 2:40PM on 07/16/08
That sounds really good! A must-try for me now, thanks!
sadiepix at 3:20PM on 07/16/08
WOW !!!!!!......after reading this thread i decided to make this for dinner.....i never heard of pasta con sarde before.....i thought it was either gonna be good or it would hit the trash.....it was absolutely delicious.......thanks @Lady for posting this thread !!!
onepercent99 at 6:52PM on 07/17/08