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Spaghetti with Sea Urchins

17/11/2023

Spaghetti with sea urchins is a classic seafood dish, particularly beloved in the coastal regions of Italy, where sea urchins are fresh and readily available. Here is how to prepare this delicious dish.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of spaghetti
  • 500 g of sea urchins
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Chopped parsley, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
  • Chili pepper (optional)
  • Salt, to taste

Preparation

  1. First, it is necessary to open the sea urchins. This can be done using a pair of sturdy scissors to cut around the mouth of the urchin, which is on the flat part of the shell. Remove the “lid” and use a teaspoon to gently scoop out the orange flesh, which is the edible part. Collect the flesh in a bowl, straining it through a sieve to remove any shell fragments.

  2. Put a pot of plenty of salted water on the stove for the pasta. While the water is coming to a boil, in a large pan enough to later contain the spaghetti, sauté a peeled garlic clove in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. If you like, you can also add a piece of chili pepper to give the dish more zest.

  3. As soon as the garlic is golden, remove it and add the sea urchin pulp to the pan. Cook over very low heat for a couple of minutes, just enough time to blend the flavors, taking care not to overcook the sea urchins to avoid toughening them.

  4. In the meantime, cook the spaghetti in the boiling water according to the time indicated on the package to have them al dente. Drain them and transfer to the pan with the sea urchin dressing. Toss the pasta over high heat for a minute so that the spaghetti absorb the flavor of the urchins well.

  5. Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley, and a raw drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired.

Note that the flavor of sea urchins is very delicate and special, a true seafood delicacy that does not require the addition of many other ingredients to be fully appreciated.

Curiosity

Sea urchins are highly regarded in Mediterranean cuisine for their unique flavor and are considered an aphrodisiac food. In some coastal areas, at certain times of the year, it is possible to participate in actual “hunts” for sea urchins.