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Pasta for St. Joseph's Day (March 19)
Since St. Joseph’s Day always falls during the season of Lent, a period of penance and fasting, no meat is served. Instead, fish and pasta are staples of the feast. One traditional Sicilian dish is Pasta con le Sarde or Pasta with Sardines and another is Spaghetti with Anchovies and Breadcrumbs. Since St. Joseph was a carpenter, the breadcrumbs, which are an ingredient in both dishes, are meant to symbolize sawdust. Both of these dishes are also commonly served as part of the Eve of the Seven
Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve.
The pasta used in Pasta with Sardines is typically a long hollow pasta such as bucatini or perciatelli. In Italy, wild fennel is used and also fresh sardines. Since it is usually difficult to find fresh sardines in the US, this recipe substitutes canned sardines.
Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve.
The pasta used in Pasta with Sardines is typically a long hollow pasta such as bucatini or perciatelli. In Italy, wild fennel is used and also fresh sardines. Since it is usually difficult to find fresh sardines in the US, this recipe substitutes canned sardines.
Pasta con le Sarde (Pasta with Sardines)
Pasta con le Sarde (Pasta with Sardines)
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta (spaghetti, bucatini, perciatelli)
1 fennel bulb
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/3 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
4 to 5 anchovies, chopped
3 (3.75 ounce) cans sardines in olive oil, drained
1/3 cup dried currants
1 pinch saffron
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
Heat a small skillet; toast the pine nuts until lightly golden, 3-4 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a small plate; set aside. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet; add the breadcrumbs. Stir the breadcrumbs over medium eat until golden, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Remove the fronds from the fennel, chop them, and set aside. Remove the core from the fennel bulb; coarsely chop the bulb.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Saute the onions, garlic, and chopped fennel bulb until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Add the anchovies and half of the sardines; stir to break up the sardines and anchovies. Add the currants and toasted pine nuts. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes.
Scoop a ladle of the pasta water into the sardine mixture. Stir in the saffron; season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Add the drained pasta to the sardine mixture in the skillet. Stir pasta well to coat with the sauce. Gently stir in the remaining sardines. Allow to cook for another minute, just to heat the added sardines. Add some of the reserved pasta cooking water if the sauce is too dry. Transfer the pasta to a serving dish. Sprinkle some of the toasted breadcrumbs and chopped fennel fronds on top. Serve, passing the remaining breadcrumbs to be added, if desired.
Spaghetti with Anchovies and Breadcrumbs
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
12 anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained
Salt
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup olive oil
6 large garlic cloves, minced
Large pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2/3 cup toasted fresh breadcrumbs
Directions:
Finely chop 6 anchovy fillets; cut the remaining 6 into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, red pepper, and finely chopped anchovies. Cook, stirring until the anchovies dissolve. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the parsley and remaining anchovies.
Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the skillet with the anchovy sauce. Toss until the strands are well coated. Add some of the reserved pasta water if the mixture seems too dry. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the toasted bread crumbs. Add the remaining crumbs to the skillet and toss the pasta again. Transfer the pasta to individual serving bowls.
Top each serving with a sprinkling of the reserved bread crumbs.
Toasted Fresh Bread Crumbs
(Makes about 3/4 cup)
Toasted breadcrumbs can be made by sauteing them in a skillet or baking them in an oven.
In a skillet:
Warm 2 tablespoon olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup of fresh breadcrumbs and stir to coat with oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until the crumbs are golden brown and crunchy, about 5 minutes.
In the oven:
Place 3/4 cup of fresh bread crumbs in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Using your hands, gently combine the ingredients. Spread the breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and place in a 350 degree F. oven. Bake about 8 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until golden brown and crisp.
HOLIDAYS > ST. JOSEPH'S DAY > ST. JOSEPH'S DAY BREAD > ST. JOSEPH'S DAY PASTA
RELATED INGREDIENTS
These Recca Anchovies from Sicily are whole salted fillets packed in salt and a touch of brine.
Bucatini is the traditional pasta used to make Pasta con le Sarde (pasta with Sardines).
Zaran Saffron is dedicated to sourcing and distributing only the freshest and purest grade of Saffron available in the world. Organically Grown, 100% Pure Saffron
PINE NUTS (PIGNOLI)
The pine nut is actually the tiny, cream-colored seed of a certain species of pine tree. Pine nuts , sold shelled, raw or roasted, have a rich buttery flavor and add a nice crunch to many foods, included baked goods, pasta, and salads.
Some simple ways to enjoy pine nuts:
1. Add toasted pine nuts to salads
2. Sprinkle into soups for added crunch
3. Include in pancake and waffle batters
4. Sprinkle on vegetable pizzas
5. Add to pasta dishes
1. Add toasted pine nuts to salads
2. Sprinkle into soups for added crunch
3. Include in pancake and waffle batters
4. Sprinkle on vegetable pizzas
5. Add to pasta dishes
Some useful food words or terms that you may find in
Italian recipes, while dining at an Italian restaurant, or traveling in Italy.
Italian recipes, while dining at an Italian restaurant, or traveling in Italy.
There are 2 main types of pasta ... fresh pasta, or pasta fresca, and dried pasta, or pasta secca.
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