Il Cucinologo
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Malloreddus with Clams, Cherry Tomatoes and Tuna Bottarga

17/11/2023

Malloreddus, also known as Sardinian gnocchetti, are a type of pasta typical of Sardinia and pair well with seafood flavors like clams, enhanced by additions such as cherry tomatoes and tuna bottarga. Here’s how to prepare this dish, highlighting the flavors of the Mediterranean with a touch of Sardinian class.

Ingredients

  • 360 g Malloreddus
  • 1 kg fresh clams
  • 200 g cherry tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 50 g grated tuna bottarga
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 small chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

  1. First, place the clams in a bowl with cold salted water and let them purge for at least an hour to remove any sand inside.
  2. Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half or quarters, according to your preference.
  3. In a large pan, sauté the finely chopped garlic in the extra virgin olive oil. If you like, you can also add a small chili pepper for a touch of heat.
  4. Drain the clams and add them to the sauté. Cover with a lid and let them cook until they have all opened.
  5. Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil and cook the Malloreddus until al dente. Generally, the cooking time ranges from 10 to 12 minutes, but follow the instructions on the package.
  6. Once the clams have opened, remove any that have not opened and add the cut cherry tomatoes to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste and let cook for a few minutes so the flavors combine.
  7. Drain the Malloreddus and transfer them to the pan with the clams and cherry tomatoes, off the heat. Mix well to flavor the pasta.
  8. Divide the pasta among plates and sprinkle with grated tuna bottarga and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Serve this dish hot, perhaps accompanied by a fresh Sardinian white wine to enhance the flavors of the sea.

Curiosity

Tuna bottarga is an excellent Sardinian product, obtained from processing tuna roe that is salted, pressed and left to age. It enjoys an excellent reputation among connoisseurs and gives dishes a unique and unmistakable flavor, with marine and savory notes.