Pasta with Fish Meatballs (Pasta con le Polpettine di Pesce)
Category: Pasta Dishes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 320g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 10g |
| Butter | 10g |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Brandy | 50g |
| Fresh cream (liquid) | 200g |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Shrimp (peeled) | 120g |
| Sole fillets | 80g |
| Cod fillet | 80g |
| Bread (crumbs) | 80g |
| Egg | 1 |
| Grana Padano cheese (grated) | 50g |
| Saffron | 15g |
Preparation Instructions
-
Prepare the Shrimp
Start by cleaning the shrimp. Remove the heads, shells, and legs. Carefully slice the back of the shrimp to remove the vein. Rinse under cold water to ensure they are completely cleaned. -
Boil Water for Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a boil, salting it generously. This will be used to cook the spaghetti later on. -
Make the Fish Meatballs
In a blender or food processor, combine the cleaned shrimp, sole fillets, and cod fillets. You can either roughly chop the fish or add them whole as the food processor will break them down into small pieces.
Add the egg, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Blend until you achieve a smooth, uniform mixture. -
Incorporate the Saffron
Dissolve the saffron in a small bowl with a little hot water (the same water you used to boil the pasta). Add the dissolved saffron to the fish mixture and stir well. -
Form the Meatballs
Once the mixture is ready, take about 6g of it at a time and roll it into small meatballs using your hands. Set them aside. -
Cook the Meatballs
Heat a wide, non-stick pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted and the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs. Cook them for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden and cooked through. After browning, deglaze the pan with brandy, adding salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for a few minutes. -
Cook the Spaghetti
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in the boiling salted water according to package instructions, until al dente. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving a small amount of pasta water. -
Combine Pasta and Meatballs
Add the drained spaghetti directly to the pan with the meatballs. Toss them gently to coat in the flavorful sauce, adding a little pasta water if needed to help coat the pasta evenly. -
Finish the Dish
Pour in the fresh cream and stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. Let everything cook together for a minute or two until heated through. -
Serve and Enjoy
Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with freshly grated Grana Padano cheese, and enjoy the delicious, comforting flavor of your pasta with fish meatballs.
Enjoy this delightful dish as a savory, comforting meal, ideal for a special dinner or a weekend treat!
