Spaghetti Con Le Sarde

Ingredients

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Saffron

a pinch

Anchovy fillets

4

Onion

1, finely chopped

Raisins

1/4 cup

Pine nuts

1/4 cup

Fennel

1 bulb, thinly sliced

Fresh sardines

8, cleaned and filleted

Spaghetti

500 grams

Instructions

1. Start by soaking the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and thinly sliced fennel, sauté until they are softened and fragrant.
3. Add the anchovy fillets and sardines to the pan, cook until the sardines are cooked through - they should be white and flaky.
4. Next, add the pine nuts, raisins, and a pinch of saffron to the pan, stir well to combine all the flavors.
5. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain the pasta, but remember to reserve some of the pasta water.
6. Transfer the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the sardine mixture and toss well to combine. If the sauce is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
7. Finally, season your Spaghetti con le Sarde with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, and enjoy this delightful taste of Sicilian tradition.