Bring a taste of Sicily to your table in under one hour with this authentic swordfish pasta. This stunning recipe combines swordfish with ripe cherry tomatoes, fried eggplant, aromatic herbs and lemon. This is a simple recipe packed with fresh Mediterranean flavor.
History
Pasta with swordfish is a very popular and typical Sicilian dish. In fact, swordfish plays a big part in Sicilian seafood cuisine. The Sicilians grill it, bake it, put it in pies, make involtini or carpaccio with it and serve it with pasta in a number of different ways.
The most traditional ways to eat swordfish pasta are either with eggplant, like in this recipe, or with the typical Mediterranean ingredients of garlic, capers, olives, tomatoes and peperoncino, as in my recipe for strozzapreti with swordfish.
However, there are also a few other delicious swordfish and pasta recipes from Sicily and other Southern regions which include ingredients such as pistachios, pine nuts, almonds, zucchini or breadcrumbs.
Some recipes are ‘al bianco’, meaning without tomatoes and some are traditional to the province they originate from such as ‘alla Messinese’ from Messina; made with red onions, celery and green olives, as well as capers and tomatoes.
I particularly like this pasta with swordfish recipe because it really is a treat for the taste buds! It includes fried aubergine, which gives it that authentic Sicilian taste, along with fresh mint and some grated lemon rind. Both really add a distinctive flavor to the eggplant and the swordfish.
In Italy and most of the Mediterranean, swordfish can be found in abundance during the summer, so that’s when it is most often served at Italian tables. This swordfish pasta can also be eaten cold or tepid, if you use short pasta. If you like the idea of pasta, aubergines/eggplants and swordfish, then you are bound to love this combination.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Long pasta varieties like mafaldine (reginette) or spaghetti are traditionally used when serving this dish hot. However, if you plan to enjoy the dish tepid or cold, short pasta types like casarecce or penne are excellent choices.
- Swordfish Steaks: You can use both fresh or frozen swordfish. When selecting fresh swordfish, look for clean steaks with a slightly oceanic smell. The meat should be firm and spring back when pressed.
- Eggplant: Choose eggplants that are firm with glossy, smooth skin. I used a Sicilian Prosperosa eggplant. These round Italian heirloom eggplants are meaty with a mild flavor. Of course, other eggplant varities are fine too.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use ripe cherry tomatoes for their sweet and slightly acidic flavor, complementing the swordfish and eggplant.
- Garlic Cloves: Slightly browning the garlic before adding the swordfish will add a more robust flavor.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Use fresh mint over dried mint to get the full aromatic flavor. The leaves should be vibrant and green.
- White Wine: A dry white wine will add the most depth of flavor.
- Lemon zest: Choose organic unwaxed lemons, as we will use lemon zest.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Pick a high-quality olive oil as it forms the base of the sauce.
Expert Tips
Cooking the Swordfish: For the best texture and flavor, fry the swordfish until it's just cooked through. Avoid overcooking, as it can make the fish tough and dry.
Mint and Lemon Zest: Add these at the last minute to preserve their fresh and vibrant flavors. This will bring a burst of freshness to the dish, contrasting beautifully with swordfish and cooked vegetables.
Step by Step Instructions
1) Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
2) In a large frying pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant cubes and fry until golden brown, usually about 5-7 minutes.
3) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried eggplant onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
4) In the same pan, add the cherry tomatoes and sauté until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Then add them to the eggplant.
5) Give the pan a wipe with kitchen paper. Add a bit more olive oil and sauté the garlic cloves. Once the garlic starts to color, add the swordfish steaks.
6) Fry the swordfish cubes for about 2-3 minutes, turning half way through to ensure even cooking. Then, mix in the cooked tomatoes and eggplant to the pan, sautéing until the fish is fully cooked.
7) Pour in the white wine, increase the heat to high, and cook until the alcohol evaporates. Remove from heat and sprinkle in chopped mint and grated lemon zest. Let it sit to marinate briefly.
8) Meanwhile, cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Once cooked, quickly drain the pasta and combine it in the pan with the swordfish over a low heat for a minute.
9) Serve immediately if you are using long pasta, however this dish can also be eaten tepid or cold if made with short pasta.
Storage and Leftovers
Allow the pasta with swordfish to cool to room temperature. Transfer the cooled pasta with swordfish to an airtight glass container and refrigerate. This dish will stay fresh and retain a good quality for up to 2 days.
For reheating, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Avoid overheating the dish to stop the fish from becoming too dry.
FAQs
Swordfish steaks are typically sold either boneless or with a large central bone. Generally, they don't contain any smaller bones. When purchasing swordfish steaks, you may encounter a large, single bone in the middle, which is easy to remove. However, many markets and fishmongers also offer completely boneless options for convenience.
Although this used to be common practice, said to be necessary to remove bitterness, nowadays many chefs no longer do it as modern varities of eggplant are less bitter than in the past. I never salt my eggplants.
Eggplant is perfectly cooked when it's soft throughout but not mushy. It should have a slightly browned exterior from the frying process and a tender interior. If you can easily pierce it with a fork without any resistance, it's done.
More Recipes You May Like:
- Asparagus Carbonara
- Homemade Chestnut Pasta with Pork and Cabbage
- Homemade maltagliati with sausage and beans
- Pasta with bean soup
- Stuffed and baked lumaconi
- Pasta alla Mediterranea
If you make this pasta with swordfish recipe I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. Please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Buon appetito!
This recipe was originally published in 2017, but it has been updated with new photos and text.
Pasta with Swordfish from Sicily
Ingredients
- 14 oz Reginette/Mafaldine pasta
- 1 Eggplant (1 large or 2 small )
- 10 oz Swordfish steaks fresh is better than frozen but you can use both
- 2 cloves Garlic peeled
- 7 oz Cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 handful Fresh mint leaves chopped (dried mint doesn’t work well)
- ½ glass White wine
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 Lemon for grating
- 3-4 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients.
- Wash the eggplant and cut it into cubes. Wash the swordfish steak, pat it dry with kitchen paper and cut into cubes about the same size as the eggplant after removing the skin and centre bone if necessary. Wash the tomatoes and cut them into halves. Peel the garlic, wash the mint and lemon.
Make the sauce.
- Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
- In a large frying pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant cubes and fry until golden brown, usually about 5-7 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried eggplant onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
- In the same pan, add the cherry tomatoes and sauté until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Then add them to the eggplant after removing the kitchen paper.
- Give the pan a wipe with kitchen paper. Add a bit more olive oil and sauté the garlic cloves. Once the garlic starts to color, add the swordfish steaks.
- Fry the swordfish cubes for about 2-3 minutes, turning half way through to ensure even cooking. Then, mix in the cooked tomatoes and eggplant to the pan, sautéing until the fish is fully cooked.
- Pour in the white wine, increase the heat to high, and cook until the alcohol evaporates. Remove from heat and sprinkle in chopped mint and grated lemon zest. Let it sit to marinate briefly.
Cook the pasta, finish and serve.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Once cooked, quickly drain the pasta and combine it in the pan with the swordfish over a low heat for a minute.
- Serve immediately if you are using long pasta, however this dish can also be eaten tepid or cold if made with short pasta.
Notes
- This recipe can be made with other long pasta such as spaghetti or busiate or short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, casarecce, strozzapreti etc.
Nutrition
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If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks?!
Carrie Robinson says
I think that the best pasta dishes are simple and no-fuss like this one! This looks absolutely delicious. 🙂
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I don't make swordfish often as it's hard to find but I was able to get some at the supply store. This was so good and the fish was not only flavorful but so tender! We loved it!
Tristin says
We don’t eat a lot of swordfish so I was excited to try it in your dish. It was tender and flakey. Even my kids liked it!
Swathi says
I like the fusion of pasta and swordfish that too with my favorite veggie eggplant and mint. I am going to try this.
Kathryn says
I love all of these flavors and the swordfish makes this dish extra hearty. Making this again next week 🙂
Tammy says
It's been years since I've had swordfish but it brings back so many memories for me. I remember my uncle loved it and would make it for us. What a beautiful meal!
Sabine says
I had never tried the combination of pasta, swordfish and eggplant. This dish was so delicious. I really loved it. The taste is lovely and it is so easy to prepare.
Nora says
The pasta turned out perfectly! I love the Mediterranean flavor and will definitely make it again soon! Thanks!
Debra says
This is a tasty way to enjoy swordfish...loved the eggplant and tomato mixture. Delish!
Stephanie says
I'd never made swordfish before trying this recipe (I felt intimidated by it!). This recipe provides easy to follow instructions for a quick and delicious meal - I am certain this dish will be a regular in my home!
Yu says
I always do stir-fry eggplant and tomato, but I never knew you could eat this way with pasta. It looks delicious! A new recipe for me to try soon!
Colleen says
I highly recommend this swordfish pasta recipe. It's absolutely delicious and never disappoints.
Arleen Neria says
Your presentation of this dish is beautiful. How do you get pasta to look so pretty in that circular way as it’s displayed in your photo? I made Reginette Ragu pasta before but my noodles didn’t look so pretty like that and like photo from my re pie which was displayed in same circular fashion as in your photo. I look forward to trying you recipe, as we love all those ingredients. Thank you.
Jacqui says
Hi Arleen, thanks for your comment. So my husband is the one who does those lovely pasta swirls. He uses kitchen tongs/pincer to turn a small amount of pasta (which has been mixed with the sauce) inside a ladle and then carefully tranfers it to the plate. I'm sure you'll love this reginette with swordfish. It's one of our favourite fish pasta recipes!
ELLYN M DAY says
Can I substitute a different fish for this recipe?
Jacqui says
Hi Ellyn, thanks for your comment. Since swordfish is what we call a steak fish (served in thickish practically bonelesd slices) the best substitutes are other similar fish. The best would be fresh tuna, but be careful not to overcook it. Alternatively, you could use grouper or maybe even mahi mahi. I wouldn't use salmon as the taste is completely different or any oily fish like kingfish.
Italian Recipe Book says
This pasta is AH-mazing!! I can't stop making it!! Thanks Jacqui for the recipe ❤❤❤
Jacqui says
I'm so happy you like this recipe! I love it too and make it quite often in summer!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
This swordfish pasta dish looks excellent! I don't need a choice of pasta for your dish! I will make this dish exactly as written. Yum!
Jacqui says
Thank you so much Elaine! I'm sure you'll love this recipe! Buon appetito!
Linda says
This looks amazing. With summer veggies i.e. eggplant and tomatoes in season, I bet this dish is a winner. I haven't had a chance to explore food from that region of Italy - now I know I will. 🙂
Jacqui says
Sicilian food is so good Linda, lots of fresh seafood and Mediterranean veggies! Def worth exploring!
Claudia Lamascolo says
my husband is all sicilian, he will love this and I am going to surprise him with this dish thanks for posting it
Jacqui says
I'm sure your hubby will love this Claudia! It's so full of Sicilian summer flavours!
Jessica Formicola says
This is my kind of pasta! What a wonderful combination of ingredients!
Jacqui says
So happy you like this recipe Jessica! I agree the combination of ingredients is wonderful!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This recipe looks so delicious. I love swordfish but have never tried it with pasta. Now I can't wait to make this!
Jacqui says
Thank you Shadi! Swordfish is delicious with pasta. I'm sure once you try it, you'll agree wholeheartedly!