Turnip Greens with Sausage

Turnip greens with sausage is a typical dish of Italian cuisine, especially from Puglia. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 1 kg of turnip greens
• 3-4 Italian sausages (spicy ones are better)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Chili pepper (optional)
• Homemade bread for serving

Preparation

1. Clean the turnip greens by removing the outer leaves and the toughest stems. Wash the rest thoroughly in cold water.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the turnip greens for a few minutes, until they are tender but still al dente.
3. Meanwhile, heat some extra virgin olive oil in a large pan and add the crushed garlic and chili pepper if you like a bit of spice. Sauté gently until the garlic is golden brown.
4. Cut the sausages into pieces or, if you prefer, break them up with a fork during cooking to crumble them.
5. Add the sausage to the pan and cook until it is well browned and cooked through.
6. Drain the turnip greens and add them to the pan with the sausage. Mix well and let all the ingredients flavor together for a few minutes.
7. Adjust the salt and cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Serve the hot turnip greens with sausage accompanied by slices of toasted homemade bread.

Curiosity

In Puglian cuisine, this dish can also be an excellent base for dressing pasta, especially orecchiette. Turnip greens and sausage also pair well with legumes like broad beans or chickpeas, making the dish even more substantial and rich in flavors.