Best 10 Chef Johns Pasta Con Le Sarde Recipes

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Welcome to the world of Pasta Con Le Sarde, a traditional Sicilian dish that is both simple and flavorful. This classic recipe, made with fresh sardines, aromatic fennel, and zesty lemon, is a true testament to the beauty of Italian cuisine. Join us as we explore the culinary journey of creating Chef John's Pasta Con Le Sarde, a dish that is sure to delight taste buds and bring a touch of Sicily to your kitchen!

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA CON LE SARDE



Chef John's Pasta con le Sarde image

I'm no survivalist, but like any responsible chef I like to have a few cans of sardines stocked away, just in case. If times ever get tough, I could survive for hours, maybe days on them; but since things are going pretty well, I decided to dust off a can, and show you my version of Sicily's famous pasta con le sarde. You can substitute thick spaghetti for the bucatini, if desired.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ cup dry bread crumbs
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pinch saffron
¼ cup white wine
½ pound bucatini pasta
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced fennel bulb
salt to taste
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 anchovy fillet
2 (4 ounce) cans sardines packed in oil, drained and crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
1 pinch red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until bread crumbs are crispy and toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool.
  • Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle; pour white wine into mortar and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini in boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and fennel with a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir raisins, garlic, and anchovy fillet into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Pour saffron-wine into skillet; cook until wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour 1 ladleful reserved pasta water into skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir pine nuts and red pepper flakes into sauce; simmer until flavors combine and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir bucatini and sardines into wine mixture; increase heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently and adding more reserved pasta water as necessary, until sauce and pasta are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with fennel fronds and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.2 g, Cholesterol 81.4 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 531.8 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh sardines: Fresh sardines have a delicate flavor and are less likely to be bitter. If you can't find fresh sardines, you can use frozen sardines, but thaw them completely before using.
  • Clean the sardines properly: To clean the sardines, remove the head, tail, and guts. Then, rinse the sardines thoroughly under cold water.
  • Don't overcook the sardines: Sardines are a delicate fish and can easily be overcooked. Cook them until they are just opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Use a good quality olive oil: Olive oil is an important ingredient in pasta con le sarde. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
  • Add some fennel seeds: Fennel seeds add a nice anise flavor to the dish. You can toast them in a pan before adding them to the pasta sauce.
  • Serve with crusty bread: Pasta con le sarde is traditionally served with crusty bread. The bread can be used to soak up the delicious sauce.

Conclusion:

Pasta con le sarde is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of sardines, fennel, and pine nuts creates a flavorful and aromatic sauce that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new pasta recipe, give pasta con le sarde a try. You won't be disappointed!

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