A Sicilian first course, Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs is nothing more than pasta with anchovies and breadcrumbs.
If you are Sicilian, you know this dish better than I do, but if you’re not and you’re wondering what toasted breadcrumbs are, I’ll briefly tell you.
Toasted breadcrumbs are simply breadcrumbs (stale Sicilian durum wheat bread) broken into pieces and toasted in a pan or oven.
The name atturrata comes from the fact of toasting, which is the term used for roasting coffee.
Toasted breadcrumbs are found in many Sicilian dishes and were the grated cheese of the poor who, not being able to afford to season their pasta with grated cheese, settled for toasted breadcrumbs.
Below I leave you other Sicilian recipes where toasted breadcrumbs are used and more, then we will discover right after the photo how to prepare Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs!!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs
- 12.7 oz pasta (spaghetti or bucatini)
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 8 anchovies in oil
- Half white onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1 tbsp pine nuts
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- 5.3 oz breadcrumbs
- 2 pinches salt
- to taste black pepper
Preparation of Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs
To prepare Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs, finely chop the onion together with the garlic clove.
Saute them in a pan with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and when it starts to become transparent, add the anchovy fillets and let them dissolve.
Incorporate the tomato paste, a cup of hot water, pine nuts, and raisins, stir and let it cook semi-covered for at least 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, place a pot of lightly salted water on the fire to cook the pasta.
In another small pan, toast the coarsely grated stale bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Stir often to prevent burning until the breadcrumbs have reached an amber color.
Drain the pasta al dente into the pan with the sauce, adding half of the toasted breadcrumbs, correct with salt, and season with ground black pepper.
Toss well to flavor, then plate and sprinkle the remaining toasted breadcrumbs over each dish.
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How to store Pasta with Anchovies and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Pasta should be eaten as soon as it’s prepared; however, the sauce based on tomato paste and toasted breadcrumbs can be prepared well in advance.
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