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Pasta with Sardines and Lemon

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Sardines are one of the ocean’s most sustainable superfoods. Because they tend to fall apart, save half for topping the dish just before serving.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 minutes

  • Yield

    6 Servings

Ingredients

2 4-ounce cans smoked whole sardines
12 ounces linguine or other dried pasta
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 radishes, trimmed, quartered
2 cups baby kale or spinach leaves
2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Lemon zest (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Clean sardines, if needed, by splitting in half lengthwise with a knife and removing backbones; set aside.

    Step 2

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add shallot, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add pasta, radishes, kale, half of sardines, and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to pot. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring and adding more pasta cooking liquid by Tablespoonfuls if needed, until sauce coats pasta. Stir in lemon juice and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Serve topped with lemon zest and remaining sardines.

Nutrition Per Serving

1 serving contains: Calories (kcal) 390 Fat (g) 15 Saturated Fat (g) 2 Cholesterol (mg) 55 Carbohydrates (g) 48 Dietary Fiber (g) 2 Total Sugars (g) 3 Protein (g) 18 Sodium (mg) 290
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