Zesty Sicilian Pasta con le Sarde with Fennel and Pine Nuts

Name: Zesty Sicilian Pasta con le Sarde with Fennel and Pine Nuts
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 300g fresh sardines; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 clove garlic; Salt and pepper to taste; 350g bucatini pasta; 1 tbsp salt for boiling; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp breadcrumbs; 1 medium fennel bulb; 4 anchovy fillets; 1/2 cup white wine; 1/4 cup golden raisins; 1/4 cup pine nuts; Zest of 1 lemon; Pinch of saffron strands

A flavorful Sicilian dish packed with fresh sardines, wild fennel, and toasted pine nuts.

Embrace the authentic flavors of Sicily with this traditional pasta dish featuring sardines, fragrant fennel, and the delightful crunch of pine nuts, all brought together in a zesty sauce.

1 h 10 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Sardine Mixture

300g fresh sardines

cleaned and filleted

3 tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic

minced

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

350g bucatini pasta

1 tbsp salt for boiling

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp breadcrumbs

toasted

For the Sauce

1 medium fennel bulb

chopped (reserve fronds for garnish)

4 anchovy fillets

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 cup golden raisins

soaked in warm water and drained

1/4 cup pine nuts

toasted

Zest of 1 lemon

Pinch of saffron strands

Preparation

Marinating the Sardines

Combine sardines

Place sardine fillets in a bowl.

Add marinade

Drizzle with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Marinate

Mix gently and marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.

Preparing the Sauce

Sauté fennel

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add chopped fennel and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Ensure the fennel is soft before adding other ingredients to prevent undercooking.

Add anchovies and wine

Stir in anchovies until melted, then add wine.

Toast breadcrumbs with olive oil for extra flavor.

Cooking Process

Cooking the Pasta

Boil bucatini according to package instructions until al dente.

Timing: 10 minutes

Making the Sauce

Add raisins, pine nuts, lemon zest, and saffron to the skillet. Let simmer on low.

Timing: 15 minutes; Heat Guide: Medium Low

Sautéing Sardines

In a separate pan, sauté marinated sardines for 2-3 minutes until cooked through.

Heat Guide: Medium

Plating & Serving