Join Anna Maria’s
Newsletter
Subscribe today
and win a cookbook
Fusilli coi
Broccoli Arriminati
Pasta with
Cauliflower Sauce
Turn heat to medium, add pine nuts, raisins, saffron . . . .
2 lb (900 gr) green cauliflower
salt
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
crushed red pepper
4 anchovy fillets, chopped
2 oz (60 gr) pine nuts
2 oz (60 gr) dark raisins
1/2 teaspoon saffron powder, dissolved in 1 - 2 tablespoons of warm water
1 lb (450 gr) fusilli pasta
*** NOTE ***
This dish of pasta can be served warm, but it will be tastier if eaten lukewarm, after a few hours, or even the day after it is prepared.
Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil; add cauliflower and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, until cauliflower is half-cooked and not yet fully tender.
Drain the cauliflower with the help of a large slotted spoon. Reserve the cooking water.
In a medium-size saucepan, pour the olive oil, and turn heat to medium. Add the onion, generous red pepper, and sauté gently until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Turn Heat off. Add anchovies fillets to the pan.
Quickly stir and break the anchovies with a fork to dissolve them. When adding the anchovies, don’t let them cook otherwise they will burn, giving the dish a very strong tang.
. . . . and cauliflower. Mix to combine and sauté briefly. Anchovies can be very salty, therefore adjust salt at this point if necessary. If sauce is too thick, add about 1 cup of the cauliflower cooking water.
Bring the stockpot with the reserved cauliflower cooking water to a boil. Cook the fusilli in the cauliflower cooking water following manufacturer’s instructions. Taste for readiness from time to time, until al dente (firm but not too soft or overcooked). Drain and transfer to a bowl. Top with the sauce, toss, and set aside. Serve lukewarm.
Tasty green cauliflowers, sweet raisin and pine seed, savory anchovies, and saffron: This is a truly Sicilian dish!
Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 Anna Maria Volpi - All Rights reserved.