"Swaki" Spaghetti

CEBU, Philippines - There's a Cebuano seafood delicacy that's quite understated hereabouts.  But, in fact, this one is a big favorite in Japan, reportedly from stuff imported from Cebu. Yes, the local "swaki"   commands a hefty price abroad, which leaves the locals wondering what it is about this lowly seafood that makes the foreigners go gaga over it.

The "swaki" is a kind of sea urchin with yellowish great-tasting innards that's good enough eaten freshly raw. These are very easy to harvest during low tides; people just pick it up from ankle-high waters. Some people pick just enough "swaki" for their own gustatory pleasure, while others make a living selling it.

Unknown to many, the pinkish-orangey, sweet-salty "swaki" meat can make good ingredient to gourmet dishes. A good example would be the "Swaki" Spaghetti or Spaghetti with Sea Urchins and Clams from the website www.puha.org:

Spaghetti with Sea Urchins and Clams

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove minced

1 dash of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 lb spaghetti

1 cup white wine

2 lbs small clams in shell (Manila type)

2 trays sea urchins - (2 oz ea)

Italian parsley, leaves only left whole

Salt as needed

Procedure  :

Pour water to a casserole and add salt, then boil. In a pan, sauté garlic over a medium heat. Before adding the sea urchin meat, taste it. If it tastes bitter, then add some red pepper flakes to the sauté mixture. As the garlic softens but not yet golden brown, add white wine or vinegar then increase the heat.

Cook until the mixture reduces to half. After which, add the clams and the meat of 1 ½ trays of sea urchin. Stir it while cooking until the clams open. And then, remove the pan from the heat and stir the mixture until the sauce is well blended.

Then, boil the pasta for about seven minutes or until it softens, but not yet fully cooked. This is to avoid overcooking. As soon as the desired softness of pasta is achieved, drain it. Take at least a cup and a half of its cooking water and add it to the sauce. Stir constantly and boil it again in high heat until the sauce has thickened.

This recipe serves six persons.

The exotic taste is not the only good thing about "swaki." The seafood is also rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins A and C. It also works to increase sexual appetite. (FREEMAN)