Spaghetti ai ricci di mare

Spaghetti ai ricci di mare is a simple pasta dish consisting of spaghetti and sea urchins, technically sea urchin gonads that produce the roe. Since the urchin is delicate, it should be cooked shortly, in order to preserve its tender texture and flavors. Other elements in the sauce typically include olive oil, garlic, and salt, while parsley is occasionally used as garnish and lemon wedges can be served on the side. Although most varieties of the dish are prepared with spaghetti, sometimes linguine can be used instead. The dish is typically found in Sicily, Sardinia, and Puglia. It is recommended to enjoy this specialty during winter when the urchin is in season.