Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Messina-Style Silver Scabbardfish - Mediterranean Flavours on Your Table
Tender scabbardfish simmered with tomatoes, capers and olives - a bright, aromatic Sicilian dish that brings the Mediterranean straight to your plate.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1.2 kg silver scabbardfish, filleted
- ✓ 300 g cherry tomatoes
- ✓ 1 garlic clove
- ✓ 1 onion
- ✓ 2 tbsp salted capers
- ✓ A handful of fresh parsley
- ✓ 1 celery stalk
- ✓ 10 green olives
- ✓ Half a glass dry white wine
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Chilli flakes
📊 Nutritional Information
Messina’s coastline is famous for its simple yet vibrant cooking, and this silver scabbardfish dish captures that spirit beautifully. Light, summery and rich in Mediterranean aromas, it brings together tender fish with sweet cherry tomatoes, briny capers, plump olives and a gentle hint of chilli.
It’s the kind of dish you’d enjoy overlooking the sea on a warm Sicilian evening - unfussy, fragrant and effortlessly delicious. Whether you're recreating memories of a holiday in Messina or simply craving honest Mediterranean flavours, this is a recipe that feels like sunshine on the plate.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the scabbardfish, remove any bones and rinse the fillets under cold water. Drain in a colander.
- 2
Finely chop the onion and celery. Soak the capers in warm water for a few minutes, then drain. Chop the parsley and set aside.
- 3
Warm a little olive oil in a large pan and lightly brown the garlic. Add the onion, celery and chilli, sautéing for 2 minutes.
- 4
Add the chopped tomatoes, capers and olives, stir well and simmer for a couple of minutes. Pour in the white wine and let it evaporate over high heat.
- 5
Lower the heat, lay the fish fillets in the pan and cover with a lid. Cook for about 10 minutes without turning, until the flesh is tender and flakes easily.
- 6
Adjust the salt, sprinkle with parsley and let rest for a minute.
- 7
Serve hot with plenty of the fragrant Mediterranean sauce.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add a spoonful of tomato concentrate for a deeper flavour, or a pinch of Sicilian oregano for an extra aromatic touch.
The sauce is also excellent tossed with pasta.
📦 Storage
- • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • Reheat gently with a splash of water or stock to keep the fish soft and juicy.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy with a glass of Menfi Grecanico - its bright, fruity notes enhance the freshness of the tomatoes and the delicate flavour of the fish.
With this recipe, you bring the scents of Messina’s sea straight to your table. Elegant yet simple, this scabbardfish dish captures everything we love about Sicilian coastal cooking. Buon appetito!
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