March 28: Pesce Spada Pasta

   Coarse salt
1 pound medium shell pasta
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds swordfish steak, trimmed of skin and dark connective tissue
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 to 6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium zucchini, cut into short, thick matchsticks
1 pint grape tomatoes
6 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup dry white wine
   Freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a couple of teaspoons of coarse salt to the boiling water, then add the pasta and cook for 8 or 9 minutes, until al dente.

Cut the swordfish into bite-size cubes.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the EVOO, then the swordfish. Cook the fish until lightly browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate, and cover loosely with foil to keep the fish warm.

Add the garlic, zucchini, and tomatoes to the pan and season with salt. Keep the veggies moving and cook for 3 minutes. Add the scallions. Cook for 2 minutes more to get the skins of the tomatoes to pop. Add the swordfish back to the pan and toss in the herbs. Douse the pan with the wine and scrape with a wooden spoon to lift the pan drippings. Add the hot drained starchy pasta and toss. Season with pepper and adjust the salt to taste, then transfer to a huge serving bowl or platter and serve.

4 SERVINGS


I did not make this recipe today and I'm not sure whether I have made it before, although it does sound very familiar. I am very wary of swordfish when I am pregnant because of the high mercury levels. Maybe next year I can make it. We had hot dogs instead :) According to Google Translate, Pesce Spada means swordfish.