Paccheri with Cherry Tomatoes and Salt Cod

Paccheri with cherry tomatoes and salt cod is a dish rich in flavors of the sea, Mediterranean and perfect for a special dinner. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 400 g of paccheri
• 300 g of salt cod, already soaked
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the salt cod: if it is not already cleaned and soaked, do this process which can take up to 48 hours, changing the water frequently.
2. Once ready, dry the salt cod with kitchen paper, remove any bones, and cut it into small pieces.
3. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the garlic cloves until they turn golden, then remove them.
4. In the same pan, add the cod pieces and let them brown slightly, stirring gently so as not to break them.
5. Add the cherry tomatoes, cut in half or whole, according to your preference, and cook over medium heat until they soften and the skin begins to peel off.
6. Adjust with salt and pepper and add a little water or white wine if the sauce dries out too much.
7. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil, salt it and cook the paccheri until al dente following the timing indicated on the package.
8. Drain the pasta and transfer it into the pan with the salt cod sauce, tossing everything together for a few minutes so that the flavors blend well.
9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

You can add a touch of red chili pepper if you like a spicier flavor, or black olives for an additional contrast of flavors.

Curiosity

Paccheri is a pasta shape that is very popular in Southern Italy, particularly in Campania. Their name probably derives from the Greek term “pakkero”, which means “slap”, perhaps due to the sound they make when eaten al dente. This pasta pairs well with rich and hearty sauces like this one with salt cod and cherry tomatoes.