Insalata di Pasta allo Zafferano con Tonno ed Erbe Aromatiche Fresche
by Toni Lydecker
from Seafood alla Siciliana
(Lake Isle Press, 2009)
Makes 6 servings

Anyone who thinks Sicilian men don’t cook should meet Giuseppe Scarlata, a native of Trapani who likes to create dishes alla fantasia. ThisThis recipe for a saffron-tinted pasta salad with tuna is one of them.

convert Ingredients
Sea salt or kosher salt
1 pound paccheri or other short pasta (see Note)
1/8 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
Extra-virgin olive oil
One 6-to-7-ounce can good-quality tuna in olive oil, or tuna poached in olive oil, drained
3/4 to 1 cup finely chopped mixed fresh herbs such as basil, flat-leaf parsley, and mint
6 to 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut crosswise into short lengths, then lengthwise into small matchsticks
1/4 cup black and/or green Mediterranean olives, pitted, slivered
1 heaping tablespoon salt-cured capers, soaked in water for a few minutes and drained

Method
1. Place a large pot of cold water over high heat and bring to a boil; add salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.

2. Reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain the pasta and transfer to a serving bowl. Whisk the saffron into the reserved cooking liquid and stir it into the pasta. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the pasta, stirring well, and season with salt. Let the pasta cool, stirring from time to time; the pasta will absorb most of the liquid and take on a saffron tone.

3. Flake the tuna into a small bowl. With a fork, mix in the chopped herbs. Add the tuna to the pasta, along with the mozzarella, carrot, olives, and capers. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix thoroughly. Season to taste with more olive oil and salt. Let the pasta salad stand at room temperature for up to an hour, or refrigerate.

Note: Paccheri are extremely large, short tubes, often ridged, that make an unusual and interesting pasta salad. De Cecco is one company that makes this shape for its premium line. If you don’t find paccheri, substitute penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta.

Recipe © 2009 Toni Lydecker. All rights reserved.
© 2009 Leite’s Culinaria, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of use.

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