Pasta with Cauliflower and Guanciale

Pasta with cauliflower and guanciale is a rich and flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of cauliflower with the savoriness of guanciale. Let’s see together how to prepare this delicious Italian variation of a pasta dish with vegetables.

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta (rigatoni or penne work well)
• 1 medium-sized cauliflower
• 150 g of guanciale
• 1 clove of garlic
• Chili pepper (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Grated Pecorino Romano cheese (to taste)

Preparation

1. To begin, clean the cauliflower by removing the outer leaves and cutting it into small florets. Wash the cauliflower florets thoroughly under running water.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cauliflower florets for about 10 minutes or until they are tender but still slightly crunchy.
3. In the meantime, cut the guanciale into small strips or cubes. In a large skillet, brown the guanciale in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes crispy and has released its fat. If you like, add the crushed clove of garlic and chili pepper to flavor the oil.
4. Once cooked, remove the guanciale from the skillet and set it aside. Remove the garlic clove.
5. In the same skillet used for the guanciale, add the drained cauliflower and let it sauté for a couple of minutes, mixing the flavors. If necessary, you can slightly mash the cauliflower with a fork to make it creamier.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the cooking times indicated on the package to have it al dente.
7. Drain the pasta and transfer it into the skillet with the cauliflower. Add the crispy guanciale and mix well over medium heat so that the pasta absorbs all the flavors.
8. Serve and, if you wish, sprinkle with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Trivia

Guanciale is a typical ingredient of the cuisine of Lazio, particularly famous for its use in dishes such as Carbonara or Amatriciana. It is obtained from the pork cheek and is characterized by a very intense and slightly smoky flavor. Its use in the cauliflower dish enriches it, making it appetizing even for those who are not usually big fans of vegetables.

Enjoy your meal!