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Broccolini Strascinati

Broccolini Sauteed In Olive Oil Sauce with Garlic and Chili Peppers



This is a quick dish for cooking and serving green vegetables. The key is to prepare it like pasta by boiling the greens separately while making the olive oil sauce. Usually served as a warm side dish, Broccolini Strascinati is also delicious in panini, tossed with pasta and straight from the fridge! You can substitute many types of slightly bitter greens - all are delicious.



 
Serves 4
  • 1-2

    pounds broccolini, cima di rapé, broccoletti, broccoli, dandelion or chicory

  •  

    fruity extra-virgin olive oil

  •  

    garlic cloves, peeled and slightly crushed

  •  

    fresh or dried red chili peppers

  •  

    salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste



1. Rinse and trim the green vegetables, leave whole or cut into 2-inch pieces. In a large pot of salted boiling water, add the greens and cook for 2-3 minutes over high heat or until al dente. Scoop out - leaving a little water clinging to the greens and transfer immediately to the hot sauté pan as follows:

2. During the final minutes of boiling the greens: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil with the garlic cloves and chili peppers for a minute to infuse. Stir so the garlic and chili peppers do not burn. Turn the heat to high, then add the drained boiled greens with just a little of their cooking water and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until most of the water is evaporated and the greens glisten with a light coating of olive oil. Season to taste. It's fun bringing the sauté pan directly to the table for serving.

Cook's Tip: Love anchovies? Make it Roman-style by adding finely chopped anchovies to the olive oil sauce just before adding the drained boiled greens. If you prefer, steam the vegetables instead of boiling.