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Spaghetti ai ricci di mare
Sea urchin spaghetti
Spaghetti ai ricci di mare: Puglia and Sicily's spaghetti with sea urchin roe
On the rocky shores near Bari, Polignano and Palermo, sea urchins are eaten straight from the shell with bread by the harbour, and the bright orange roe is stirred into hot spaghetti off the heat with garlic, parsley and olive oil. It tastes like the sea in one mouthful, sweet and iodine-rich, and is a treat for a summer lunch by the water. Buy roe from a trusted fishmonger, very fresh and kept cold. The classic dish leaves the roe raw, which is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system; for them, stir the roe into the sauce over a low heat for 2 minutes until it is hot right through. Chef's tip: add the roe at the very end; heat turns it grainy and dulls its colour.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 14 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp coarse saltfor the pasta water
- 4 oz fresh sea urchin roefrom a trusted fishmonger, kept on ice
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlicfinely chopped
- ½ tsp chilli flakesopt
- 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
- ½ lemon (optional)zest only
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Fresh ingredients (3)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Keep 4 oz fresh sea urchin roe in the fridge until the last minute. Bring a large pan of water to the boil with 1 tbsp coarse salt and cook 14 oz spaghetti until al dente.
10 minStep 2: Meanwhile warm 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over a low heat with 2 cloves garlic and ½ tsp chilli flakes, if using, for 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant but still pale.
2 minStep 3: Drain the spaghetti, keeping a mug of water, and toss it in the garlic oil with a splash of water. Take the pan off the heat.
Step 4: Add half of the roe and toss quickly so it melts into a creamy orange coating. Common mistake: cooking the roe over the heat; it turns grainy. For the safer version, put the pan back on a low heat and toss for 2 minutes, until the roe is steaming hot.
2 minStep 5: Stir in 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley and ½ lemon, if using, divide into bowls and top with the rest of the roe (for the safer version, heat all the roe in the pan instead). Eat straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 470 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 74 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does spaghetti ai ricci di mare take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of spaghetti?
- Linguine or any long pasta, same amount.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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