Spaghetti with Tuna and Lemon

Spaghetti with tuna and lemon is a simple and tasty dish, perfect for those who love sea flavors with a hint of citrus freshness. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 320g of spaghetti
• 200g of oil-packed tuna (preferably natural)
• Grated zest and juice of 1 organic lemon
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste (optional)
• Chili pepper to taste (optional for those who like spicy flavors)

Preparation

1. Start by boiling a pot of generously salted water for the spaghetti.
2. In the meantime, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan and lightly brown the garlic cloves.
3. Add the drained tuna and let it flavor for a few minutes, flaking it with a wooden spoon.
4. Grate the lemon zest and squeeze the juice, being careful not to include the white pith under the zest, which could make the dish bitter.
5. Add the lemon zest and juice to the pan with the tuna and mix gently.
6. When the water boils, cook the spaghetti al dente following the instructions on the package.
7. Drain the spaghetti saving some of the cooking water and transfer them to the pan with the tuna and lemon seasoning.
8. Sauté them in the pan, adding some cooking water if necessary to mix everything well.
9. Season with salt and pepper, add some chopped fresh parsley, and if you wish, a pinch of chili pepper to give the dish some zest.
10. Serve the spaghetti immediately while they’re hot.

Fun Fact

Lemon is a highly appreciated ingredient in Italian cuisine, especially in the Tyrrhenian belt where, thanks to the mild climate, lemons of excellent quality are grown. Paired with tuna, lemon not only adds a touch of freshness but also helps to enhance the fish’s flavor. This dish represents a perfect meeting between land and sea, characteristic of various Italian regions.