Tomato Tomatoe

Mediterranean sardine pasta

Simple pasta’s are always my favourite. Especially pantry pasta because you typically have all of the ingredients on hand. This Mediterranean sardine pasta is packed with flavour and health benefits from the sardine’s. Sardine’s are a great source of Omega-3, protein and calcium. Make sure that you buy sardines packed in olive oil. Sometimes they can be packed in vegetable oil which I like to avoid. Sardine’s can seem unfamiliar and maybe scary to add into your diet but they add such a delicious umami flavour to this pasta! This pasta is the perfect way to introduce sardine’s into your diet!

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Mediterranean sardine pasta

Ingredients

• 1/2 box of spaghetti
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, ficed fine
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsely, chopped fine
• 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives
• 1 pinch of chili flakes
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted sourdough breadcrumbs
• 1 tin of sardines packed in olive oil
• 1/2 cup pasta water

Directions

1. Dice the shallot fine and mince the garlic. Chop the fresh parsley finely. Set aside.
2. To make the breadcrumbs, slice 1 piece of sourdough bread into small cubes. Heat a small pan to medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once the pan is hot add the breadcrumbs and toast until golden, stirring every few minutes. This should take 8-10 minutes. Once they are golden remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for two minutes less than what the package says. Heat a large pan to medium low heat and add 4 tbsp olive oil. Once the pan is hot add the sardines and break them up with a wooden spoon. Add the shallot and garlic and cook this for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the parsely, sundried tomatoes and olives. Season with salt and chilli flakes. Remove 1 cup of pasta water and set aside. Continue to stir the sauce and break up the sardines.
4. Remove the pasta and add directly to the pan with the sauce. Add in 1/4 cup of pasta water and cook this for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and emulsifies.
5. Off the heat grate in fresh lemon zest and sprinkle in the cheese. Give this a mix. Garnish the pasta with more fresh parsley and freshly grated parmesan.