Spaghetti with Tuna and Olives

Spaghetti with tuna and olives is a simple and tasty dish, perfect when you’re craving a touch of the sea in your kitchen. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g spaghetti
• 200 g tuna in oil, preferably good quality
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 handful black olives, preferably pitted
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Chili pepper, optional

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use about 10 g of salt per liter of water so the pasta will be well seasoned. Add the spaghetti and cook following the package instructions, but drain them one minute before the indicated time because they will continue to cook slightly in the pan.

2. Meanwhile, heat two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. The oil should be good quality, with a fruity and intense flavor, to enhance the taste of the dish. Add one lightly crushed garlic clove to release its essential oils. If you like it spicy, add some fresh chili pepper sliced thinly or in powder form. Sauté the garlic until golden, but be careful not to burn it, as it may become bitter.

3. When the garlic is golden, remove it from the pan, unless you prefer to leave it in for a more intense flavor. Add the well-drained tuna in oil to the pan. Cook the tuna over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, gently flaking it with a fork. This helps distribute the tuna better in the sauce and allows it to absorb the flavored oil.

4. Add a handful of pitted black olives cut into small pieces to the pan. You can use Taggiasca or Gaeta olives for a more authentic flavor. Cook everything for another 2-3 minutes, stirring well to evenly distribute the olives and blend the flavors. If the pan seems too dry, add a ladle of pasta cooking water to create an emulsion and better bind the sauce.

5. When the spaghetti is ready, drain it, reserving some cooking water. Transfer it immediately to the pan with the sauce. Raise the heat slightly and toss the spaghetti for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously and adding a bit of the reserved cooking water if necessary, until the pasta is well combined with the sauce.

6. Turn off the heat and add some fresh chopped parsley. You can also add a grating of lemon zest for a touch of freshness and acidity. Mix well and serve the spaghetti with tuna and olives immediately on warm plates to best enjoy the flavors.

Trivia

This dish is perfect for a simple but tasty meal, and you can add desalted capers or cherry tomatoes for an extra touch of savoriness or sweetness.