Puglian Orecchiette with Broccoli
This recipe from the Puglian region of Southern Italy is absolutely delicious. Flavored with anchovies, often used in southern Italian cooking, it is savory and also a bit spicy due to the addition of red pepper flakes or chilies!
Ingredients
- 1 crown broccoli medium to large
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 anchovy fillets with oil
- ½ ts red chili flakes can also sub a couple of your favorite chilies!
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 16 oz orecchiette pasta
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli crown into bite sized pieces
- Heat up your olive oil and butter in a heavy skillet, then add minced garlic and stir fry on med heat for 1 minute
- Add your anchovy fillets, with some of the oil that the fillets were packed in. Stir fry for 2 minutes, or until the anchovies have "melted"
- Add red chili flakes (or a couple of your favorite minced chilies), stir, and keep warm on a very low setting
- Boil pasta water in a large pot, and prepare your orecchiette according to package directions. PLEASE NOTE: You will need to reserve approximately 1 cup of the pasta water, collected at or near the end of the time when the pasta is finished cooking
- 3-4 minutes before your pasta is finished cooking, add the broccoli pieces into the boiling pasta water
- When the pasta is finished cooking, drain the broccoli and the pasta. REMEMBER: You will need to reserve 1 cup of the pasta water just prior to draining the broccoli and pasta
- Add the cooked broccoli and orecchiette to your anchovy, garlic, red pepper (or chilies), and olive oil mixture, and stir
- Start adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time and continue stirring. This helps make a smooth sauce and prevents the pasta from sticking!
- Add salt and pepper to taste
Notes
Feel free to substitute broccoli rabe for the broccoli crown.
Top your Orecchiette with Broccoli with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. Serve with a side salad and a glass of Italian Pinot Grigio for an amazing meal, and enjoy the taste of Puglia!
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