Spaghetti con Bottarga (spaghetti w/ bottarga di tonno, parsley & pepperoncini)

by Celia Cheng
July 27th, 2007

BELLAVITAE
24 Minetta Ln
(6th Ave & MacDougal St)
212-473-5121
$$

Cured and pressed fish roe, or bottarga, is well-known in Greece, and on a recent trip there I enjoyed it with pasta so much that upon returning, I rushed back to Bellavitae for their Italian version that I always relish: spaghetti con bottarga. Spaghetti is undoubtedly my favorite type of pasta, and the simple, classic combination of olive oil, parsley, garlic and pepperoncini makes me happy as a clam. Bellavitae adds finely grated bits of tuna bottarga, giving the dish a salty flavor of the sea that elevates it to the heavens! It is generally only available in the summer, but even if you don’t see it on the menu, ask for it, and you might get lucky!

Also in Bottarga, Greenwich Village, Italian, Pasta, Seafood