I made the recipe for Pasta alla Renaiola, and it turned out really well! It’s a classic dish from Pisa, Tuscany, perfect for those who love the unique blend of vegetables and fish. Definitely worth trying, with pasta similar to linguine and a rich, flavorful sauce made with herring and turnip tops.
Trenette Alla Renaiola: Sauce with Turnip Greens and Herring
Equipment
- Knife
- Skillet
- Large pot
Ingredients
- Turnip tops or tender leafy greens enough to fill 4 cups when chopped
- 1 herring fillet cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 chili pepper finely sliced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- A few cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
- 14 ounces about 1 and 3/4 cups trenette pasta (or substitute with linguine if unavailable)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic and Chili: Begin by cleaning your garlic and chili pepper. Then, heat them in olive oil until they just start to sizzle, ensuring not to burn the garlic.1 chili pepper, 1 garlic clove, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sauté Greens: Add the cleaned, washed and sliced turnip tops or leafy greens to the skillet. Cook them for about 10 minutes until they're wilted and tender.Turnip tops or tender leafy greens
- Cook Herring and Tomatoes: In another skillet, fry the herring pieces and optional cherry tomatoes in olive oil with a minced garlic clove for about 8 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.1 herring fillet, A few cherry tomatoes
- Mix Sauce: Combine the sautéed greens with the herring and tomatoes, creating a rich and flavorful sauce.
- Boil Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the trenette pasta in a large pot of non salted boiling water until it's al dente, which should take about 8 minutes. Do not salt the pasta in this dish, the salt from the herring will be enough to salt everything.14 ounces about 1 and 3/4 cups trenette pasta
- Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and mix it well with the sauce. Toss everything together in the skillet for a minute to let the flavors meld. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute trenette pasta with linguine if trenette is unavailable. Linguine offers a similar texture and surface area for the sauce to cling to, making it a suitable alternative for this dish.
- If herring is not available, you can substitute it with another oily fish such as sardines or mackerel. These fish share a similar fat content and flavor profile, which can complement the turnip greens or leafy greens well in the Pasta alla Renaiola.
From Land to Sea: Pasta Alla Renaiola’s Unique Fusion
If you’re seeking an authentic taste of Pisan cuisine, Pasta alla Renaiola is a must-try. This primo piatto boasts a distinctive blend of flavors, marrying the earthy bitterness of cime di rapa or other leafy greens with the savory richness of fish.
Its uniqueness lies in its ability to capture the essence of the region’s culinary heritage, showcasing the marriage of land and sea that characterizes Italian cooking. Whether enjoyed in the cozy months of autumn and winter or as a traditional Good Friday dish, Pasta alla Renaiola offers a flavorful journey through the gastronomic delights of Pisa.
For more culinary adventures from this enchanting city, check out this link to explore a myriad of typical Pisan dishes. Buon appetito!
