Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sea Urchins and Fresh Tomato Sauce

Pasta with Sea Urchins and Tomatoes
Category: First Courses
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomatoes:
   Begin by making a small “X” incision on the skin of each tomato. Bring a pot of water to a boil and carefully blanch the tomatoes for about 2 minutes. Once the tomatoes have softened, remove them from the boiling water and let them cool slightly. Peel off the skin and cut the tomatoes in half, removing the stem and seeds. Cut the tomato halves into small cubes, roughly 2 cm in size. Set aside.

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2. Prepare the Sea Urchins:
   Use a special sea urchin tool to carefully cut the sea urchins in half, exposing the delicate roe inside. Be gentle to avoid damaging the roe. Once opened, set the sea urchin halves aside.

3. Cook the Pasta:
   In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Be sure to reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water for later.

4. Prepare the Sauce:
   While the pasta is cooking, slice the fresh chili pepper into thin rounds. If you prefer a milder dish, you can remove the seeds. In a large pan, heat a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and chili pepper, sautéing for about a minute, allowing the flavors to infuse the oil.

5. Add the Tomatoes and Sea Urchins:
   Once the garlic and chili have released their aroma, add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and stir. Next, gently add the sea urchin roe, making sure to retain the delicate texture. Pour in a ladle of the reserved pasta water and let the sauce simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, allowing the sea urchin to warm through without overcooking.

6. Finish the Dish:
   Chop the parsley finely and tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces. Add both herbs to the pan, giving everything a final toss to combine. Season with salt to taste.

7. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it into the pan with the sauce, stirring well to coat the spaghetti with the delicious mixture of tomatoes and sea urchins. Add more pasta water if the sauce seems too dry.

8. Serve and Garnish:
   Serve the pasta hot, garnished with a few extra basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish that combines the sea’s treasures with the freshness of summer tomatoes.

Tips:

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
• If you can’t find fresh sea urchins, you can substitute with bottled sea urchin roe, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine or a chilled rosé to complement the sea flavors.

Pasta with Sea Urchins and Tomatoes is a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish that balances the briny richness of the sea urchins with the sweet, tangy tomatoes. This simple yet sophisticated pasta will transport you straight to the shores of Italy, perfect for a special dinner or an indulgent treat. Enjoy!