The Sicilian light swordfish or light swordfish delight is a very tasty fish main dish.
Agghiotta ri pisci
The term agghiotta meaning “delight” has ancient origins and is linked to the Sicilian maritime tradition.
The fish damaged during capture and unfit for sale was taken home by fishermen and consumed with the sauce that made it delightful, tender, and flavorful.
Source: campisiconserve.it.
In addition to the sauce, vegetables that were available in the pantry were added: onion, potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, capers, olives, and chili peppers.
The agghiotta sauce or swordfish delight is also a delicious and succulent pasta seasoning.
Swordfish is a fish with lean meat, making it particularly suitable for low-calorie diets.
I purchase it both fresh and thawed from the freezer section.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 steaks swordfish
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- to taste tomato sauce (homemade)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- to taste salted capers
- to taste pitted olives
- to taste oregano
- to taste chopped parsley
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
Suggested Tools
- 1 Colander
- Paper Towels
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Saucepan with lid preferably glass
Preparation
It is advisable to use swordfish steaks that do not release water during cooking so:
• fresh swordfish steaks;
• well-thawed swordfish steaks.Rinse the swordfish steaks carefully under running water, let them drain in a colander, and pat dry any remaining water with paper towels.
They should be very dry.Drain and rinse the olives.
Rinse and squeeze a handful of capers and chop them finely with a knife.In a hot saucepan, heat a sprinkle of garlic powder.
Add the tomato sauce* and heat until boiling.
*The amount varies based on the diameter of the saucepan used and it reduces during cooking.
I add about 1 3/4 cups and enough water to rinse out the sauce container.Place the swordfish steaks in the saucepan.
Let them cook on low heat with a preferably glass lid for about 2 minutes and gently turn the steaks using a spatula for lasagna.Season with a pinch of salt and grind some pepper.
Add the capers and olives.
Sprinkle the oregano.Let it simmer on low heat with a preferably glass lid for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness until the swordfish steaks are fully cooked and the sauce has reduced.
Plate up.
Grind a little more pepper, add chopped parsley, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Your Sicilian light swordfish is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
The agghiotta sauce or swordfish delight is also a delicious and succulent pasta seasoning.
Cook the pasta, rinse it under running water, and drain it.
In the meantime, heat the swordfish delight sauce.Pour the pasta into the saucepan with the swordfish delight sauce and mix well.
Plate up.
Grind a little more pepper, add chopped parsley, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Your pasta with swordfish sauce is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
The pasta with swordfish sauce along with the Sicilian light swordfish is a complete dish that concentrates the characteristics of a balanced meal into a single course.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What vegetables can I add to the swordfish delight?
In addition to the sauce, you can add vegetables that you have in your pantry: onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, capers, olives, and chili peppers.
And what about potatoes?
Potatoes can be consumed if they are part of your dietary plan without exceeding in frequency and quantity as a substitute for bread, pasta, and rice and in combination with a protein source after a generous portion of vegetables.Which fish for the delight?
The preferred choices are:
• swordfish;
• cod or stockfish;
but you can replicate the fish delight preparation with the fish you prefer.
