Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Swordfish Pie: A Delicious Journey Through Sicilian Flavours
Prep time: 75 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 500g swordfish chunks; 4 courgettes; 1 onion; 50g green olives; 500ml tomato sauce; 1 celery stalk; a handful of capers; Salt to taste; Freshly ground black pepper; Extra virgin olive oil; 50g plain flour; 50g butter; 70g caster sugar; 2 eggs; 1 glass of milk; 1 egg yolk

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Swordfish Pie: A Delicious Journey Through Sicilian Flavours

Dive into swordfish pie, a delightful Sicilian dish bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours from the sea!

Author: Giuseppe Rizzo • Published on: October 3, 2014

Categories: Bread, pizzas, and focaccias Main courses Seafood Main Courses

Tags: butter capers Catania onions flour 00 flour milk Messina extra-virgin olive oil black pepper swordfish salt tomato sauce celery Syracuse eggs sugar zucchini

⏱️

Prep Time

about 1 hour and 15 minutes

🔥

Cook Time

around 30 minutes

👥

Serve

Serves 6

📊

Difficulty

Moderate

💰 Moderate

🗓️ Summer

⭐ 4.5/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 500g swordfish chunks

✓ 4 courgettes

✓ 1 onion

✓ 50g green olives

✓ 500ml tomato sauce

✓ 1 celery stalk

✓ a handful of capers

✓ Salt to taste

✓ Freshly ground black pepper

✓ Extra virgin olive oil

✓ 50g plain flour

✓ 50g butter

✓ 70g caster sugar

✓ 2 eggs

✓ 1 glass of milk

✓ 1 egg yolk

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

420 kcal

Protein

35 g

Fat

18 g

Carbohydrates

40 g

Fiber

5 g

Sugars

6 g

Sodium

480 mg

Swordfish pie is a celebrated gem of Sicilian cooking, especially beloved in the eastern part of the island. Drawing inspiration from the rich culinary traditions around the Strait of Messina, where swordfish reigns supreme, this dish captures the very essence of the sea. The pie melds the unmistakable aroma and tender texture of swordfish with fresh, wholesome ingredients like courgettes and capers. Ideal for a relaxed summer supper in the garden or a leisurely Sunday lunch, it’s sure to whisk you away to the Sicilian coast, letting you savour the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean. Bold and comforting, this pie is perfect for anyone eager to explore authentic Sicilian tastes.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Make the pastry by combining flour, butter, sugar, eggs and milk, handling it as little as possible.
2

Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the fridge.
3

Slice the courgettes and fry them in hot oil until golden.
4

Thinly slice the onion and sweat it gently in a pan.
5

Add tomato sauce, chopped celery, olives, capers and swordfish to the pan.
6

Season with salt and pepper, then simmer gently until the sauce thickens.
7

Roll out half of the pastry and line a buttered baking dish.
8

Pour in half the fish mixture and scatter over the fried courgettes.
9

Top with the remaining fish mixture followed by the rest of the courgettes.
10

Roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, sealing the edges well.
11

Brush the surface with egg yolk and bake in the oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
12

Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a livelier kick, try adding cherry tomatoes and a pinch of chilli to the filling. Alternatively, swap the swordfish for fresh tuna for a lovely twist.

📦 Storage

• Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• You can freeze the cooked pie for up to a month.
• Reheat gently in the oven at 160°C for 10 minutes before serving.

🍷 Pairing

Serve this swordfish pie alongside a glass of Contea di Sclafani Ansonica, a Sicilian white wine whose crisp, saline notes beautifully enhance the sea flavours.

Give this swordfish pie a go at home — it’s a wonderful way to bring the warmth and vibrancy of Sicily straight to your dinner table. Whether you’re sharing it with family or friends, it’s bound to spark conversations and create joyful memories. So, tuck in and enjoy a true taste of the Mediterranean!