Page 37 - Book-TradiAliCulture-Sicily

How the pastas with sardines were born?

History or myth ?

The pastas with sardines have been invented
by a chef whose name remains unknown.
In the 9th century before J-C, between the
Byzantine and Arabic dominations, Eufemio of
Messina, the supreme commander, against the
Byzantine domination, decided to oust the
rebels. But he has been caught and forced out
of Sicily because he would have fallen in love
with a nun and tried to persuade her to deny
her vows.
It was of course a false pretence. Eufemio
took refuge in Africa and in a spirit of revenge,
he joined his forces with the Saracens in order
to lead his fleet to Sicily. When he arrived at
Mazara del Vallo, he had to feed all soldiers with whatever available Sicilian ingredients
found on the spot, like pastas, sardines, fennel (in order to hide the stinking smell of
sardines that weren’t fresh) and saffron offered by the Arabs.
This delicious dish is among the most famous Sicilian dishes. It hasn’t won the Masterchef
contest yet, but it has entered the history of regional gastronomy.

INGREDIENTS (for 6 persons)

- 500 g Bucatini pasta
- 500 g sardines
- 200 g fennel
- 1 onion
- 8 anchovies fillets in oil
- 50 g breadcrumb
- 30 g raisins
- 20 g pine nuts
- 10 g saffron threads
- olive oil to taste
- salt and pepper to taste

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