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Orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies, and black olives

17/11/2023

I would be happy to help you with the recipe for orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies, and black olives. This is a dish with a strong Mediterranean flavor, combining the sweetness of broccoli with the savory taste of anchovies and the spiciness of black olives. Here are the ingredients and the procedure to prepare this delicious Italian traditional dish with a touch of southern flavors.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of orecchiette (hard wheat is ideal)
  • 1 broccoli (about 300 g of florets after cleaning)
  • 8 anchovy fillets in oil
  • 100 g of pitted black olives
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Chili pepper (to taste)
  • Extra virgin olive oil (as needed)
  • Salt (as needed)

Preparation

  1. Clean the broccoli by removing the florets and wash them thoroughly under running water. Heat a pot of salted water to boil the broccoli (you can use the same water to cook the orecchiette later).
  2. Once the water boils, add the broccoli florets and cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender. When they are ready, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water and set aside (do not throw away the cooking water).
  3. In the same water, cook the orecchiette following the instructions to achieve the right al dente texture.
  4. While the orecchiette are cooking, take a large pan and heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil with the chopped garlic and chili pepper. Add the anchovies and let them melt in the oil.
  5. Add the chopped black olives and let them flavor for a few minutes.
  6. Add the broccoli florets to the pan and sauté them with the dressing to flavor well.
  7. Drain the orecchiette, keeping aside a little cooking water, and pour them into the pan with the dressing. If necessary, add a little cooking water to blend everything well.
  8. Sauté the orecchiette with the dressing for a few minutes over high heat to flavor them.
  9. Serve hot, with a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil if you like.

Curiosity

Orecchiette is a typical pasta shape from Apulia and is often accompanied by condiments made with vegetables and blue fish. This recipe is a perfect example of the poor southern Italian cuisine, which has always been able to create richly flavored dishes with a few simple ingredients.