Italian Broccoli & Spaghetti Recipe

 

This makes a great 'Primo' or first course, in Italy a Primo is usually a hot dish whether it's a soup, Polenta, vegetables, or pasta with a sauce; that could contain meat, but any courses that contain a whole piece of meat would be 'Secondi'. 

This dish is so quick, made in just a few minutes but like most recipes there is a method to it which is to combine the broccoli into the sauce and get the sauce to cling to the pasta.

So add your broccoli that is chopped into smallish pieces to a large pan half filled with salted water that you have brought to the boil. Cook for about five minutes. Meanwhile heat a large frying pan and add at least two large tablespoons of olive oil. Crush two cloves of garlic and add, do not let the garlic colour. Then using a slotted spoon add the broccoli, don't worry about adding water at the same time. Then add a large teaspoon of butter. Keep on a low/medium heat as the broccoli should become very soft.

Add your spaghetti to the pan you've just removed the broccoli from and bring to a boil. You are aiming for al dente, so knock at least three minutes from the recommended cooking time.

Grate some Pecorino or Parmesan.

Add a ladle of the pasta water to the frying pan. Add some of the grated cheese, stir and incorporate by whisking with a fork.

Add the spaghetti and combine, add some torn basil leaves and mix and serve with more cheese.

Season, top with flaked Pecorino or Parmesan and serve.

I'd forgotten I'd put a similar recipe up here before see Montalbano 'Who the hell is disturbing me?