Pasta with Broccoli

Pasta with Broccoli

Pasta with broccoli is a classic Italian dish, born as a simple meal from the peasant tradition of Southern Italy. Broccoli, easy to grow and very nutritious, were combined with dry pasta to create a simple yet hearty meal without the need for expensive ingredients. In different Italian regions, pasta with broccoli is prepared with either short or long pasta and a few essential ingredients like garlic, olive oil, chili, and sometimes a bit of cheese or toasted breadcrumbs to enhance the flavor. In addition to its intense and genuine taste, broccoli make the dish rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, turning a simple preparation into a symbol of Italian cuisine: a few fresh, seasonal ingredients carefully cooked to create a flavorful, balanced, and wholesome dish.

🍽️Serves: 4 ⏲️Time: 45 minutes 🧺Ingredients:

• 350 g pasta (orecchiette, fusilli, or penne)

• 600 g broccoli

• 2 garlic cloves

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 300 ml water for the broccoli

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Chili pepper (optional)

• Grated Pecorino or Parmesan (optional)
  

🥣Instructions: 1. Prepare the broccoli

Wash the broccoli thoroughly under running water. Separate the florets and set them aside. Take the stem and a portion of the whole vegetable, remove the tough outer layer with a knife or vegetable peeler, and cut it into small pieces. This way, almost all of the broccoli is used and the cooking texture is more uniform.

2. Start cooking the broccoli in the pan

In a large pan, pour the olive oil and add the garlic cloves. Heat over medium heat until the garlic releases its aroma, then add both the florets and the chopped stems. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the flavored oil.

3. Cook the broccoli with water Add about 300 ml of water, cover partially with a lid, and let cook over medium heat. The broccoli should soften slowly, absorbing the flavor of the oil and garlic. Occasionally stir and lightly mash some pieces with a fork to create a creamier base. At this point, start cooking the pasta. 4. Cook the pasta Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain it al dente. Keeping the pasta separate ensures the right texture. 5. Combine pasta and broccoli Transfer the cooked pasta into the pan with the broccoli. Stir well to mix everything, adding a little pasta cooking water if needed to make the sauce more cohesive. Adjust salt, pepper, and chili to taste.

6. Serve Serve the pasta hot, finishing with a sprinkle of grated Pecorino or Parmesan if desired. The dish will be flavorful, creamy, and full of intense broccoli taste. 💡Tips:

• Stems contain more fiber than florets! Peel and chop them, and if you like, mash them with a fork.

• In Puglia, many add toasted breadcrumbs as “poor man’s cheese” when cheese is not available!