Great Day, Lykkers! Silky, savory, and packed with ocean-inspired flavor, this creamy sea urchin pasta is an elegant dish that brings together delicate sea urchin, garlic, shallot, chili, and a smooth cream sauce.

The sea urchin is blended with Mexican-style crema to create a velvety base that coats every strand of pasta. Fresh chives bring a clean herbal finish, making this pasta feel refined without requiring an overly complicated cooking process.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

4–6 ounces (115–170 g) fresh sea urchin roe (uni)

⅓ cup (80 g) Mexican-style crema or crème fraîche

10 ounces (300 g) dried long pasta, such as spaghetti or bucatini

Kosher salt, as needed

1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for finishing

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 small shallot, finely minced

1 teaspoon (5 ml) Calabrian hot chili spread

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Small handful fresh chives, finely minced

Chive blossoms, optional, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sea Urchin Sauce

- Set aside 4 whole pieces of sea urchin for garnishing the finished pasta.

- Place the remaining sea urchin roe and the ⅓ cup crema or crème fraîche into a blender, food processor, mini chopper, or suitable container for an immersion blender.

- Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

- The finished mixture should have an even texture without visible pieces of sea urchin. Set the puree aside while preparing the pasta and aromatics.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

- Place the dried pasta in a 12-inch skillet or saucepan and add enough water to cover it.

- Season the water generously with salt.

- Set the skillet or saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Stir the pasta occasionally as it cooks to prevent the strands from sticking together.

- Cook until the pasta is slightly under al dente. It should still have a small firm center because the noodles will finish cooking in the sauce.

- Before draining or transferring the pasta, reserve some of the starchy cooking water. This liquid will help create the creamy consistency later.

Step 3: Cook the Garlic and Shallot

- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

- Add the minced garlic and shallot.

- Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the aromatics soften but do not brown.

- If the garlic begins coloring too quickly, lower the heat. Burnt garlic can introduce bitterness that will overpower the delicate sea urchin.

Step 4: Add the Chili

- Stir in 1 teaspoon Calabrian hot chili spread.

- Cook briefly until the chili is evenly incorporated with the garlic and shallot.

Step 5: Combine the Pasta and Sea Urchin Puree

- When the pasta reaches the desired stage, use tongs to transfer it directly from the cooking water into the skillet containing the garlic and shallot mixture.

- Add the prepared sea urchin and crema puree.

- Pour in a few ounces of the reserved pasta water.

- Return the skillet to high heat.

- Using tongs, constantly toss the pasta while swirling the skillet. Continue cooking for approximately 1 minute, allowing the pasta to finish cooking while the sauce emulsifies around the noodles.

- The sauce should become smooth, glossy, and creamy rather than watery.

- If it becomes too thick, add more pasta water a small amount at a time. Continue tossing until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.

Step 6: Season the Pasta

- Taste the sauce carefully.

- Add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

- The sea urchin already has a naturally briny character, so add salt gradually rather than all at once.

- The final sauce should have a balance of creamy richness, subtle heat, fresh aromatics, and delicate seafood flavor.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

- Warm the serving bowls before plating if possible.

- Divide the pasta evenly among the bowls.

- Drizzle each portion with a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil.

- Place one reserved piece of whole sea urchin on each serving.

- Finish with finely minced fresh chives and, if available, a few delicate chive blossoms.

- Serve immediately while the pasta is warm and the sauce remains silky.

Creamy sea urchin pasta transforms a few carefully chosen ingredients into an elegant meal. The key is gentle handling: keep the aromatics from browning, reserve plenty of pasta water, and toss the noodles continuously as the sauce comes together. Finished with fresh chives, olive oil, and a piece of whole sea urchin, the result is a restaurant-style pasta that feels special from the first bite.