Sicilian Swordfish Involtini with Herb Sauce
Savor the taste of Sicily with these succulent Swordfish Rolls, known as Involtini Di Pesce Spada. Each roll is delicately stuffed with a flavorful blend of sautéed onions, garlic, fresh herbs, capers, and provolone cheese, all wrapped in tender swordfish fillets. This dish offers a beautiful presentation that combines the freshness of Mediterranean cuisine with rich flavors. Perfect as a main course for special occasions or delightful family dinners, these rolls are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Swordfish fillets, VERY thinly sliced and trimmed
2 lbs (Thinly sliced and trimmed)
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Chopped)
Olive oil
4 oz, plus additional for sautéing (Used for cooking and in sauce)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (Chopped)
Fresh basil
2 tablespoons (Chopped)
Capers
1 tablespoon (Drained)
Provolone cheese, piccante
3 oz (Diced)
Breadcrumbs
3 oz (Homemade preferred)
Large eggs
2 (Beaten)
Salt
to taste (N/A)
Pepper
to taste (N/A)
Fresh lemon juice
1 oz (N/A)
Garlic cloves
2 (Minced for sauce)
Oregano
1 teaspoon (Dried)
Crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and reserved swordfish trimmings. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the mixture is aromatic, about 3-5 minutes.
2
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, basil, breadcrumbs, and capers. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and heated through. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3
Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a food mill and process until finely chopped and incorporated.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumb mixture with the diced provolone cheese and beaten eggs until well mixed.
5
Carefully lay out your very thinly sliced swordfish fillets on a clean surface and gently pound them with a mallet to ensure they are even and tender.
6
Place a generous spoonful of the filling mixture in the center of each swordfish fillet. Roll the fillets tightly and secure them with toothpicks to prevent the filling from escaping.
7
In the same skillet, add more olive oil and sauté the swordfish rolls over medium heat until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes on each side.
8
While the rolls are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a non-reactive bowl, add the fresh lemon juice. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while vigorously whisking to create a stable emulsion.
9
Add the minced garlic, oregano, and crushed tomatoes to the emulsion, mixing well.
10
To serve, spoon a generous amount of the sauce onto each plate and place the sautéed swordfish rolls on top. Garnish with additional herbs if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sicilian Swordfish Involtini with Herb Sauce?
It is a traditional Sicilian dish, known as Involtini Di Pesce Spada, featuring thin swordfish fillets stuffed with a savory mixture of onions, garlic, herbs, capers, and provolone cheese.
What does the term Involtini mean?
Involtini is the Italian word for small bundles or rolls, typically made of meat, fish, or vegetables wrapped around a filling.
How much swordfish is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of swordfish fillets that are very thinly sliced and trimmed.
What are the primary aromatics used in the filling?
The filling starts with one medium chopped onion and two chopped garlic cloves sautéed in olive oil.
Why are swordfish trimmings included in the stuffing?
The trimmings are sautéed with onions and garlic to provide extra flavor and a cohesive texture to the seafood filling.
What fresh herbs are used in the swordfish rolls?
The filling incorporates two tablespoons each of fresh chopped parsley and fresh chopped basil.
What type of cheese is used for the stuffing?
The recipe calls for 3 oz of diced provolone cheese, specifically the piccante variety.
What acts as the binder for the filling mixture?
A combination of 3 oz of breadcrumbs and two beaten large eggs is used to bind the stuffing ingredients together.
How should I prepare the swordfish fillets before stuffing them?
Lay the thin fillets on a clean surface and gently pound them with a mallet to ensure they are even and tender.
How is the filling texture refined?
After cooking the base ingredients, the mixture is processed through a food mill until finely chopped and well incorporated.
How do you keep the rolls from opening while cooking?
The fillets should be rolled tightly and secured with toothpicks to prevent the filling from escaping.
What is the cooking method for the involtini?
The swordfish rolls are sautéed in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat.
How long do the swordfish rolls need to cook?
They should be sautéed for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.
What ingredients are in the herb sauce?
The sauce consists of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, and a small amount of crushed tomatoes.
Is the herb sauce cooked?
No, the sauce is prepared by whisking the ingredients together in a non-reactive bowl to create an emulsion.
How do you create the emulsion for the sauce?
Slowly drizzle olive oil into the fresh lemon juice while whisking vigorously to create a stable base.
What kind of oregano is used for the sauce?
The recipe specifies one teaspoon of dried oregano for the herb sauce.
Are capers used in this recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of drained capers is added to the filling mixture for a classic Mediterranean flavor.
What type of breadcrumbs are recommended?
While any breadcrumbs work, homemade breadcrumbs are preferred for this recipe.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
A total of four garlic cloves are used: two for the filling and two for the herb sauce.
What role do crushed tomatoes play in the sauce?
Two teaspoons of crushed tomatoes are added to the sauce to provide a hint of color and acidity.
How should the dish be plated?
Spoon a generous amount of the herb sauce onto the plate and place the sautéed swordfish rolls on top.
Can I garnish this dish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished plates with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is categorized as a healthy Mediterranean seafood dish.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Absolutely, the elegant presentation and rich flavors make it perfect for special occasions or family dinners.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It offers a fresh Mediterranean taste combining savory seafood, sharp provolone, briny capers, and a zesty lemon-herb sauce.
What equipment is needed for the filling?
You will need a skillet for sautéing and a food mill to process the mixture into the proper consistency.
How much olive oil is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 4 oz of olive oil as part of the sauce emulsion, plus additional for sautéing.
Do I need to season the fish?
Yes, salt and pepper should be added to the recipe according to your personal taste.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This is a classic Sicilian recipe, highlighting the region's famous swordfish and Mediterranean ingredients.