Spaghetti alla Siracusana

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb spaghetti

• 1/2 c olive oil

• 1 c fresh bread crumbs

• 1/2 c freshly grated pecorino

• 1 3.75 oz can oil packed sardines, drained

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste dissolved in 1/4 c water

• pepper

Steps

1. Fill a large pot with water, cover and bring to a boil. Add salt and the spaghetti. Cover partially until the water just returns to a boil, then uncover, stir the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and transfer to a warmed, large serving boil, cover and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1/4 c olive oil. Add the bread crumbs and cook over moderately high heat stirring constantly, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese.

3. Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1/4 c olive oil, the sardines and the garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the sardines begin to break up, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the dissolved tomato paste. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti and toss. Season with pepper adn stir in 3 tbsp of the bread crumbs. Sprinkle half of the the remaining bread crumbs on top and serve. Pass the remaining bread crumbs at the table.