Penne with tuna 'meatballs'

Name: Penne with tuna 'meatballs'
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 60g stale country bread, shredded; 125ml milk; 500g fresh tuna, trimmed of bloodlines; 2 tbsp parmesan, finely grated; 6 tbsp flatleaf parsley; 1 tbsp lemon zest, grated; 1 egg, lightly beaten; Sea salt and pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 x 400g canned cherry tomatoes; 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced; 3 tbsp raisins; 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp sugar; 300g penne or rigatoni; 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

Jill Dupleix

March 5, 2018

easyTime:30 mins - 1 hourServes:4

Fresh tuna makes lovely light 'meatballs' for kids and grown-ups, pepped up with lemon zest and parmesan and cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

Ingredients

60g stale country bread, shredded
125ml milk
500g fresh tuna, trimmed of bloodlines
2 tbsp parmesan, finely grated
6 tbsp flatleaf parsley
1 tbsp lemon zest, grated
1 egg, lightly beaten
Sea salt and pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 x 400g canned cherry tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
3 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
300g penne or rigatoni
2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

Method

Soak bread in milk for five minutes, then squeeze out milk. Cut tuna into small cubes. Lightly mix bread with tuna, parmesan, two tablespoons chopped parsley, lemon zest, egg, sea salt and pepper, and form into 12 medium-sized meatballs.
Heat oil in a pan and cook meatballs over medium heat for five minutes until golden all over.
To make sauce, combine cherry tomatoes, garlic, raisins, olive oil, two tablespoons chopped parsley, sugar, sea salt and pepper in a large fry pan. Add a dash of water and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes until cooked through.
Cook pasta in simmering salted water until al dente and drain. Divide between four warm pasta plates and top with tuna meatballs and sauce. Scatter with remaining parsley and pine nuts.