Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Chilled Pasta with Tuna, Cherry Tomatoes and Tuma: A Summer Celebration of Sicilian Flavours
Learn how to whip up a refreshing, speedy pasta salad bursting with Mediterranean charm – featuring tuna, sweet cherry tomatoes and creamy Sicilian tuma cheese.
📖 What is it
Learn how to whip up a refreshing, speedy pasta salad bursting with Mediterranean charm – featuring tuna, sweet cherry tomatoes and creamy Sicilian tuma cheese.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 320g short pasta (penne, fusilli or farfalle)
- ✓ 100g tuma cheese, diced
- ✓ 160g tuna in oil, drained
- ✓ 10 Pachino cherry tomatoes
- ✓ 10 brined olives
- ✓ a few fresh basil leaves
- ✓ dried oregano
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ salt
📊 Nutritional Information
Picture a dish that captures the warmth of the Sicilian sun and the gentle sea breeze: chilled pasta with tuna, cherry tomatoes and tuma is just that. This simple, cooling first course is perfect for balmy summer days, where the juicy sweetness of cherry tomatoes meets the soft creaminess of traditional Sicilian cheese and the hearty richness of tuna. Ideal for a picnic or a light supper, it’ll transport you straight to the shores of our island.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until just al dente.
- 2
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, then toss with a drizzle of olive oil and mix well.
- 3
Quarter the cherry tomatoes and dice the tuma cheese.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, drained tuna and pitted olives.
- 5
Add dried oregano and roughly torn fresh basil leaves.
- 6
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt to taste.
- 7
Stir everything together, cover and chill in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For an extra aromatic twist, try adding a few Pantelleria capers or some grilled courgette cubes.
- •
If you can’t find tuma, substitute with primo sale or buffalo mozzarella to keep that creamy texture.
- •
To make it heartier, toss in some pitted black olives and a splash of top-quality Sicilian extra virgin olive oil.
- •
Use short pasta varieties like busiate or sedanini, traditional to Sicily, to really soak up the dressing.
- •
Boost the umami by stirring in a touch of anchovy paste or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast flakes.
- •
For a vegan version, swap the tuna for cooked chickpeas and the tuma for a cashew-based plant cheese.
- •
The secret to this dish lies in fresh ingredients and simple preparation that lets the flavours shine.
📦 Storage
- • Store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the flavours fresh.
- • Best enjoyed within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture.
- • Give it a gentle stir before serving to refresh the flavours.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this chilled pasta with a crisp Sicilian white wine like Grillo or Catarratto, which balance the tuna’s savouriness and the delicate tuma beautifully. Alternatively, a Ligurian Vermentino or a Friulian Sauvignon Blanc offers a lovely aromatic contrast.
Bringing this chilled pasta to your table is like sharing a little slice of Sicily, full of authentic aromas and flavours. It’s a dish that celebrates the simplicity and honesty of local ingredients, perfect for enjoying with family and friends. Do give it a go and don’t forget to share your culinary adventure with your loved ones – it’s sure to brighten up any summer gathering!
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