If Rome has the carbonara, and Bologna has the fettuccine in Bolognase sauce, than Puglia’s dish to fame is Orecchietti with Sausages and Broccoli Rabe! Puglia is a region in Southern Italy and being a Southerner myself, its cuisine is certainly something I enjoy eating and preparing. I recall growing up in Calabria and being surrounded by wonderful produce. My father was a produce merchant, so we certainly never lacked for great produce around the house. Summertime favorites growing up were zucchini and their delicate blossoms, eggplants and of course, tomatoes! If you have never had a freshly plucked tomato in August in Calabria, well, I will go so far as to say that you’ve never had a really delicious tomato! They are just amazing simply sliced with salt and olive oil. A fresh mozzarella next to them always helps too! ;-)
One vegetable that is versatile and found year-round is broccoli and also broccoli rabe, or rapini. I really enjoy both and one of my favorite ways of preparing the rabe is in this typical Pugliese dish. The Pugliese are known for their orecchiette shaped pasta. Orecchiette means little ears, although I think they look like small caps more than little ears! It’s very typical to walk in the streets of Bari and find local women making these fresh and selling them right on the streets. If you happen to find yourself there, I highly recommend buying a kilo or two, you will not be disappointed.
This is my version of how to make this classic dish. Everyone has his or her own way but I have found I rather like my version, if I do say so myself! Many do not use the onion that I add, but I really like it and find that it adds lots of flavor, so I use it. Add garlic too, if you wish, although I do not in this dish. This dish serves about 4 people.
Orecchietti with Sausages & Broccoli Rabe Ingredients 2 bunches broccoli rabe, trimmed, and washed 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons of olive oil 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley 1 small onion, chopped 1 – 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste) 4 pre-cooked sausages of your choice (pork, chicken, hot, sweet) 1/2 pound orecchietti pasta Directions
![]()
**************************************************************************************************************************
Ready to make your 2019 Italian Travel Dreams come true? Consider joining us in one of our Culinary Adventures! We have three planned! TUSCANY: MAY 1 - 8, 2019. Click here for all trip info and to sign up! PUGLIA: SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2019. Click here for all trip info and to sign up! SICILY: SEPTEMBER 10 - 18, 2019. Click here for all trip info and to sign up!
3 Comments
Mickie
4/20/2017 08:28:56 am
Looks delicious. Thanksx for recipe, I lost my mom's.
Reply
Francesca
4/20/2017 03:30:39 pm
Thanks Mickie, I hope you make it and enjoy it!
Reply
Laura Marie DiMarco-Arnone
4/20/2017 03:05:57 pm
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Hi there, thanks for visiting my blog! Here you will find recipes, short stories, tales, rants and whatever else is on my mind with regards to food, Italy, travel and along those lines. Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you! Archives
December 2020
|
MORE FROM US |
|