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Pasta con le sarde
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the fennel for 10 minutes until tender. Lift it out, squeeze it dry and chop it finely. Keep the water for the pasta.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Pasta con le sarde take?
1 hr 5 min all in — 30 min prep, 35 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Fish, Tree nuts. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Pescatarian, Dairy-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Frying pan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tbsp (for the water).
What can I use instead?
Wild fennel → Bulb fennel fronds and dill. Milder; add a pinch of crushed fennel seed with the onion.
Any tips from this recipe?
Sardines must be very fresh: bright eyes, firm bodies, a clean smell of the sea. Wild fennel is finer and more aniseedy than the fronds on a fennel bulb. Without it, use bulb fronds with a few sprigs of dill and a pinch of fennel seed.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.