Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Pasta with Mussels, Clams and Toasted Breadcrumbs: A Sicilian Feast of Flavours
Dive into this delightful Sicilian pasta dish, brimming with fresh mussels, clams and crispy toasted breadcrumbs that celebrate the best of the Mediterranean.
📖 What is it
Dive into this delightful Sicilian pasta dish, brimming with fresh mussels, clams and crispy toasted breadcrumbs that celebrate the best of the Mediterranean.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 320g pasta (spaghetti, linguine or busiate)
- ✓ 500g mussels
- ✓ 500g clams
- ✓ 3 garlic cloves
- ✓ a handful of fresh parsley
- ✓ 3 tablespoons tomato purée
- ✓ 2 ripe tomatoes
- ✓ half a glass white wine
- ✓ 10 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ salt
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
This pasta with mussels, clams and golden toasted breadcrumbs truly captures the heart and soul of Sicilian cooking. Bursting with the briny freshness of the sea and the rustic crunch of traditional toasted breadcrumbs, it’s a dish that transports you straight to the island’s sun-kissed shores. The combination of juicy shellfish simmered in a rich tomato sauce with a splash of white wine is simply irresistible. Perfect for a balmy summer evening by the coast or a comforting Sunday lunch with family, this pasta is a proper ode to Mediterranean flavours.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the mussels thoroughly and set aside to drain well. Soak the clams in salted water to purge, then rinse them thoroughly.
- 2
Warm some olive oil in a frying pan with a crushed garlic clove, then toast the breadcrumbs until golden and crisp.
- 3
In a large saucepan, gently sauté a garlic clove with the mussels and clams. Pour in the white wine and let it evaporate.
- 4
Once the shellfish have opened, remove them from the pan and strain the cooking liquid.
- 5
Shell about 70% of the mussels and clams, leaving the rest in their shells for presentation.
- 6
In another pan, sauté two chopped garlic cloves in olive oil with the parsley. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato purée.
- 7
Stir in the shelled shellfish and season with salt and pepper. Cook together for a few minutes.
- 8
Cook the pasta until al dente, drain and toss it with the sauce. Add back the mussels and clams with shells, then sprinkle over the parsley.
- 9
Scatter the toasted breadcrumbs over the pasta and serve immediately.
💡 Tips and Variations
Feel free to swap the clams for other seafood of your choice. For a gentle kick, add a pinch of fresh chilli to the sauce.
📦 Storage
- • Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- • You can freeze the cooked pasta with sauce for up to a month.
- • Reheat gently in a pan over low heat before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Serve alongside a chilled glass of Etna Bianco Superiore, ideally between 10 and 12°C.
Give this beautiful Sicilian pasta a go at home – it’s brimming with authentic flavours that’ll transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean coast. Whether sharing with family or friends, it’s a dish that’s sure to spark joy and invite lively conversation. So roll up your sleeves, welcome the sea breeze into your kitchen, and enjoy every delicious bite!
Rate this recipe
Click or tap the stars to rate