Pasta with Sea Urchins and Tomatoes

Name: Pasta with Sea Urchins and Tomatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Whole wheat Spaghetti pasta 11.3 oz; Sea urchins 10; Cluster tomatoes 10.5 oz; Garlic 1 clove; Fresh chili pepper red 1; Parsley 1 ½ tbsp; Basil 9 leaves; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste

it de fr es br

410

Calories per serving

Lactose Free

Energy Kcal 410
Carbohydrates g 55.9
of which sugars g 5.7
Protein g 16.3
Fats g 13.5
of which saturated fat g 2.38
Fiber g 10.4
Cholesterol mg 55
Sodium mg 791

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Sea urchin pasta—you've got to try it—is like bringing the Mediterranean coast right to your table. I mean, in Southern Italy, especially in Sicily, Campania, and Calabria, this dish has been a beloved tradition for, like, ages. Seriously. Locals mix the briny roe of fresh sea urchins with sweet tomatoes and a touch of chili for a subtle kick. It's really really good. The combination of sea urchin and tomato sauce is both creamy and slightly tangy, totally evoking the scent of the sea breeze. Whole wheat spaghetti? For sure, it holds the sauce beautifully and enhances those earthy, ocean flavors. Fresh parsley and basil tossed in at the end—super fresh—make everything smell amazing. Pretty much the whole package.

For those who love uni pasta or have tried sea urchin spaghetti at seaside restaurants, this dish brings back those moist, tender textures and that unique flavor. It's perfect for a quick lunch or an informal dinner when you want something a bit different. The tomatoes add just enough sweetness to balance the salty taste of the sea urchin. And you know what? You can adjust the chili. Keep the seeds in for extra heat or take them out for a milder flavor. Quick toss in the pan and you're done. Easy stuff.

In Southern Italy, locals pride themselves on simple meals that showcase what they have around them, and the sea urchin pasta recipe is the perfect example. When you sit down with a bowl of this, you get a taste of seaside tradition and that relaxed, sunny vibe of the coast—so so refreshing. Whether you're into sea urchin linguine or just love trying new seafood pasta, this dish is all about good ingredients and easy, golden comfort. With every bite, you are reminded of the beautiful simplicity of Southern Italian coastal cuisine, where the sea is always just a step away. And the sauce? Seriously good.

INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat Spaghetti pasta 11.3 oz (320 g); Sea urchins 10; Cluster tomatoes 10.5 oz (300 g); Garlic 1 clove; Fresh chili pepper 1 - red; Parsley 1 ½ tbsp (20 g); Basil 9 leaves; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Pasta with Sea Urchins and Tomatoes

To prepare the pasta with sea urchins and tomatoes, first gently score the skin of the tomato to form a cross 1. Then blanch the tomatoes for a couple of minutes in boiling water 2, then drain them 3

and peel them 4. At this point, cut them in half 5, remove the stem and inner seeds; then further cut them into cubes of about 3/4 inch 6 and set them aside.

Move on to the sea urchins: use the appropriate tool to divide them in half 7 and using a teaspoon extract only the red part (8-9).

At this point, cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water 10 and in the meantime prepare the dressing: pour a drizzle of oil and the halved garlic into a pan 11, cut the chili pepper into rings (if you prefer less spiciness you can remove the inner seeds) 12.

Sauté the chili pepper and garlic for a minute, then add the tomatoes 13 and cook for about another minute. Remove the garlic clove 14, add the sea urchin flesh, a ladle of the pasta cooking water, and toss for another 1-2 minutes at most. Turn off the heat.

Meanwhile, chop the parsley 16 and when the pasta is still al dente, drain it and transfer it directly into the dressing. Add a little more cooking water 17, the chopped parsley, and the basil leaves 18.

Toss everything 19 and plate. Garnish with a drizzle of oil 20 and serve your spaghetti with sea urchins and tomatoes hot 21!

Storage

It is advisable to consume the pasta with sea urchins and tomatoes immediately.

You can clean the sea urchins a few hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator in a small bowl covered with oil.