Whole wheat spaghetti with ricotta, broccoli rabe, and crispy speck

Whole wheat spaghetti with ricotta, broccoli rabe, and crispy speck is a flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of ricotta, the intense flavor of speck, and the freshness of broccoli rabe. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients

• 320g of whole wheat spaghetti
• 200g of fresh ricotta
• 200g of broccoli rabe
• 100g of thinly sliced speck
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chili pepper (optional)
• Grated parmesan (optional)

Preparation

1. Start with cleaning the broccoli rabe: divide them into florets, remove the harder parts, and wash them thoroughly.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the broccoli rabe for about 5-7 minutes, until they become tender. Drain the broccoli rabe, but keep the cooking water.
3. In a pan, cook the speck slices until they become crispy. Then, remove the speck and place it on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
4. In the same pan, add a drizzle of oil and the garlic cloves. Sauté briefly and add the broccoli rabe. If you wish, add a pinch of chili pepper to give a spicy touch.
5. Cook the whole wheat spaghetti in the broccoli rabe’s cooking water, maintaining an al dente texture according to the instructions on the package.
6. While the spaghetti is cooking, mash the ricotta with a fork in a large bowl, where you will later dress the spaghetti.
7. Drain the pasta and keep some of the cooking water.
8. Pour the spaghetti into the bowl with the ricotta, add the broccoli rabe, and mix well, adding some of the reserved cooking water to make the dressing creamy.
9. Divide the spaghetti onto plates, garnish with the crispy speck, and, if desired, sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Serve this delicious dish hot and enjoy the mix of flavors and textures.

Curiosity

Speck is a cured meat typical of northern Italy, especially from Trentino-Alto Adige, made from pork leg, flavored with a mixture of herbs and spices, and slowly smoked. Its smoky taste pairs excellently with creamy ricotta and broccoli rabe, creating a balance of flavors that will delight the palate.