Rapa, Garlic and Chilli Orecchiette

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1/2 bunch rapa (or brocollini)
500g orecchiette or other short pasta
120ml extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
3-4 anchovy fillets (or 1-2 sardines, both optional)
1 red chilli, finely chopped or 2 tsp dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1-2 tbsp capers
1 lemon to serve
Grated parmesan to serve

Summary

Broccoli di rapa, or simply rapa or the elegant rapini, or the clunkier broccoli rabe, or even cime di rapa is a type of hearty cruciferous we love eating in the cooler months. Farmer Vince at our Coburg market garden says to blanch the rabe for just a minute or two, long enough to reduce the bitterness, but not too long that you increase the bitterness. And aside from sautéing it in the following flavours, he also recommends making a frittata with it, which sounds like a great idea to me and just as easy. You could use this recipe but fill the fry pan with whisked eggs instead of pasta, and then finish it under the grill to set. But back to this classic Italian pasta combo – if you don’t find yourself with some of Vince’s Rabe you could absolutely substitute broccolini (and heads at any stage of flowering, if you’re growing your own).

Broccoli Rabe, Garlic and Chilli Orecchiette

Pop on a large pot of salted water for the pasta, but use this first to blanch the rabe. It doesn’t need long, just a minute or so until the thicker stems start to soften and it’s lovely and green. Remove the rabe from the pot, bring it back to a boil and throw in the pasta.

Once your pasta is on, gently heat the olive oil in a fry pan and saute anchovies (or sardines) if using, then add sliced garlic and chilli. Keep the pan on a low heat so the oil stays healthy and the flavours have time to soften.

Drain the pasta (reserving just a little water in the bottom) and tip into the frypan with all those flavours. Add in your greens and warm that through with the heat and oily, bold flavours of the pan. Add a squeeze of lemon, parmesan and some vinegary capers if you like them, to really finish it off.

Coburg rabe and yummy simple pasta – certainly cheaper than a trip to Southern Italy. Eat it with gusto in the sun and you’ll be there in a heart beat. Thanks Vince.