SICILIAN BUCATINI WITH SARDINES

Sicilian Bucatini with Sardines image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

Kosher salt
12 ounces bucatini
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds, chopped
Freshly ground pepper
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced, fronds chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
Pinch of ground turmeric
1 4- to 5-ounce can boneless sardines in olive oil, drained

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 1/4 cups cooking water, then drain. Reserve the pot.
Meanwhile, put the raisins in a small bowl and add hot tap water to just cover; set aside. Mix 2 teaspoons olive oil with the breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds; toast in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Wipe out the pasta pot and heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fennel bulb and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fennel is tender and golden, about 8 minutes. Add the pine nuts, turmeric and remaining 1 teaspoon fennel seeds and cook, stirring, until the oil is golden and the nuts and spices are toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the raisins and soaking water and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water; remove from the heat.
Add the pasta, sardines and fennel fronds to the pot. Return to medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until coated, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls, drizzle with olive oil and top with the toasted breadcrumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 680, Fat 31 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Cholesterol 16 milligrams, Sodium 277 milligrams, Carbohydrate 83 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 20 grams, Sugar 13 grams