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Baked Tomatoes Stuffed With Anchovies And Tuna
(Pomodori alla Siciliana)
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| What You Need: |
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4 firm ripe tomatoes, 3 to 4 inches in diameter (about 2 pounds)
Salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup finely chopped onions
½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (made from 2 slices of French or Italian bread)
4 anchovy fillets, drained, soaked in cold water for 10 minutes, dried and finely chopped
1 seven-ounce can tuna (preferably Italian style, packed in olive oil), broken into small pieces
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, preferably the flat-leaf Italian type
2 tablespoons capers, thoroughly washed and drained
6 finely chopped black olives (preferably Mediterranean style)
1 tablespoon freshly grated imported Parmesan cheese
Finely chopped fresh parsley
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| How To Cook: |
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1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Slice about ¼ inch off the top of each tomato. Using your index finger or a teaspoon, scoop out all of the pulp and seeds inside the tomatoes, leaving hollow shells about ¼ inch thick.
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2. Salt the insides of the tomatoes and turn them upside down over paper towels so that they will drain.
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3. Meanwhile, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy 8-to 10-inch skillet and in it cook the finely chopped onions and garlic over moderate heat, stirring frequently, for 7 or 8 minutes, or until the onions are transparent but not brown.
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4. Stir in the fresh white bread crumbs, anchovy fillets and pieces of tuna fish and cook, stirring constantly, for another 1 or 2 minutes.
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5. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the finely chopped fresh parsley, capers and olives. If the mixture looks too dry and crumbly, add 1 or 2 more teaspoons of olive oil.
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6. Spoon the stuffing mixture into the hollowed tomatoes, sprinkle them with the tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese and a few drops of olive oil.
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7. Arrange the stuffed tomatoes in one layer in a lightly oiled 8- to 9-inch shallow baking dish and bake them on the middle shelf of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they are tender but not limp and the crumbs on top are brown and crisp.
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8. Serve the tomatoes hot or cold, sprinkled with a little chopped parsley. They may be served as part of the antipasto or as a separate vegetable course.
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