When my Calabrian spouse, Eva, instructed me that this cauliflower pasta is one in all Italy’s “greatest pasta dishes,” I used to be certain she was exaggerating. After which I tasted it… I ought to have identified she wasn’t mendacity—do you perceive how troublesome it’s for a Calabrian to offer such a giant praise to Sicily?
Pasta con i Broccoli Arriminati | Italian Cauliflower Pasta Recipe
“Pasta con i Broccoli Arriminati” is a rare dish, one that’s in all probability in contrast to any type of pasta you’ve tried earlier than. Like numerous Sicilian meals, it embraces a candy and bitter taste that’s to die for. The cauliflower, onions and raisins present the candy whereas the olive oil, anchovies and black pepper hold it rooted with savory chew.
What Makes Cauliflower Pasta So Nice?
As a result of cauliflower works equally effectively with candy and savory tastes (take a look at our cauliflower dessert fritters!), it lends itself completely to the flavors of Sicilian delicacies. Past the good taste, although, is an equally spectacular texture. Right here we see one other type of distinction: the cauliflower cooks down right into a creamy mash which is then paired with a crunchy, breadcrumb topping.
The Proper Pasta Form
Historically, bucatini is used. We extremely advocate sticking to this form, as a result of it’s excellent. Not that we will clarify why! Typically sure pasta shapes work with a specific sauce in a completely ineffable approach. That is a kind of dishes.
Not {that a} thick spaghetti wouldn’t be nice, however bucatini is simply superb with this sauce.
Watch the Pasta Grammar video the place we make Cauliflower Pasta right here:
PASTA CON I BROCCOLI ARRIMINATI RECIPE
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Makes: 2 servings
Prepare dinner Time: 45 minutes
For this recipe, you’ll need:
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1/2 cup (80g) raisins
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Salt
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About 1/2 of a big cauliflower head, trimmed into florets
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5 tbsp further virgin olive oil
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1/2 massive onion, sliced
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4 anchovies (preserved underneath oil)
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Contemporary black pepper
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1/4 cup (35g) dry bread crumbs
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3 tbsp (30g) pine nuts
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5.5 oz. (160g) bucatini pasta, or two servings to style
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Massive pot
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Slotted spoon
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Massive skillet
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Wood spoon
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Ladle
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Small skillet
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Tongs or a spaghetti fork
Place the raisins in a small bowl of heat water and depart them to soak.
Convey a big pot of water to boil and salt it generously. Add the cauliflower florets and boil till tender—about 10 minutes. Take away them with a slotted spoon and put aside. Don’t throw away the water! Actually, hold it simmering on the range: we’ll use it to assist make the sauce and pasta.
Add 3 tbsp of olive oil and the sliced onion into a big skillet and convey as much as medium warmth. As soon as the onion is tender, add the anchovies and stir them in till they break aside and start to dissolve.
Add the boiled cauliflower, plus a couple of ladlefuls of the recent cauliflower water. Convey the liquid to a simmer, add a beneficiant sprinkle of black pepper, and let the cauliflower cook dinner for about 10 minutes. As wanted, proceed so as to add extra scorching water into the pan to keep up moisture and a wholesome simmer.
Whereas the cauliflower cooks, you’ll be able to toast the bread crumbs. Add the remaining olive oil right into a small skillet over excessive warmth. Pour within the bread crumbs and toast them, stirring or tossing incessantly, till they’re browned and crispy. Stir in some black pepper to style and put aside for later.
After the cauliflower has been cooking for about 10 minutes, drain the raisins and add them into the pan, together with the pine nuts. Proceed to simmer the sauce, including scorching water as wanted, and mash the cauliflower with a fork because it softens. You need to have a thick, creamy sauce ultimately.
Convey the cauliflower water again to a rolling boil and add the pasta in. Prepare dinner as directed by the bundle, however set a timer for 2-3 minutes lower than the really useful “al dente” cook dinner time. When the pasta is prepared, use tongs to switch it into the sauce. Stir all collectively over medium/excessive warmth till the pasta is al dente to your style. Add scorching water as wanted to skinny the sauce and hold it simmering till the pasta is cooked.
Serve instantly, topped with loads of the toasted bread crumbs.
Buon appetito!
For those who get pleasure from this recipe, you would possibly like Spaghetti allo Scammaro! Trying to attempt extra Sicilian meals? Exhausting to go fallacious with Arancini!
