In chapter two of Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees, Silvia goes to visit her brother Cosmo at his apartment in Philadelphia. While there, he makes tuna fish and spaghetti. My mom used to call this dish “poor man’s crabs and spaghetti.” It was very popular in my household growing up, and I still cook it on occasion myself. This recipe is my own and is fabulous!
Ingredients
1 can tuna fish
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Italian parsley chopped fine
3 chopped whole anchovies
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup olives chopped
2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
1 ts. fresh lemon juice
1 pound spaghetti
Salt*, pepper, Italian spices to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Saute all ingredients in hot pan with olive oil. Cover and cook over low heat for ten minutes. Serve with spaghetti, olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese.
*Add salt cautiously as anchovies are in themselves very salty
This post is from my blog series on the traditional Italian food recipes from the family drama book, “Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees.”
Grace Mattioli is the author of the Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
