Rapini, or otherwise known as, Broccoli Rabe, is a relative of the turnip family, and loaded with many healthy benefits.
Who couldn’t use a little extra vitamin C, K, Potassium, Calcium, and Iron! Not to mention, it’s very high in phytochemicals, which have the potential for reducing the risk of cancer.
Wikipedia describes it as “nutty, bitter, pungent, an acquired taste”. It is a little bitter, but that’s what makes it so good! I find that blanching it in water for a couple minutes takes some of that bitterness away.
Pairing it with some spicy Italian sausage gives it the perfect balance!
Normally this dish is made with orrecciette pasta, but I like to try it with some of the other specialty pasta’s that are out there.
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. of Spicy Italian Sausage, cut up into bite size pieces
1 lb. of Cooked Broccoli Rabe
1lb. Specialty Pasta
Roasted Tomatoes ( Recipe Here)
4 Cloves of Crushed Garlic
1/4 Cup of Garlic Flavored Olive Oil
1 Can of Cannelloni Beans
Grated Romano Cheese
Reserved Broccoli Rabe Water, or a touch of Stock
DIRECTIONS:
1. Saute your sausage in the garlic oil along with the crushed garlic, till no longer pink.
2. Add in about a 1/2 cup of the broccoli rabe water or stock. ( you might need a little more)
3. Add beans, and cooked broccoli rabe.
4. Cook pasta al dente, and toss in.
5. Gently toss in some roasted tomatoes, (as many as you want).
6. Season with salt, pepper, and the grated romano, and maybe a little extra olive oil.
Something good to eat while we’re all watching the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies today!
Buon Appetito!!
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
This was delicious! I just made this tonight and the whole family loved it!
Thank you for this wonderful recipes. I also love this recipe. It’s called Genelle Lamont’s broccoli-rabe-pasta, and it’s another variation.
http://www.markdownmom.com/?tag=genelle-lamonts-broccoli-rabe-pasta-with-italian-sausage-dish
Beautiful. I like the look of that pasta! yum. and the squash above with the basil brown butter… heavenly!
Broccoli Rabe is one of my all time favorites, I never ran across it in Colorado, but funnily enough discovering it here in Italy, it reminds me of the mixed green I grew up on in Southern Illinois.(without the bacon fat!)
I like that pasta shape and the dish looks tasty!
Another fun pasta shape and the sausage must surely offer some balance to the bitter rabe.
oh now i hve to but rabe pasta…awesome!
lovelt recipe n love roasted tomatoes!
Love, love, love broccoli rabe.This dish lloks wonderful. Good pasta choice.
I’ve never had this before, you make everything look soooo good! Your picture is great!
It is a bummer…we can’t get broccoli rabe in NW Ohio, so every time we head to NJ (once a year), my request to my husband’s aunt is “broccoli rabe” please!!
Yum!
it looks delicious! just in case: the right spelling is “orecchiette”, not “orrecciette”
Looks light and healthy. I like the addition of the Cannelloni beans in this dish.
Well, shoot, I missed this in time to have some while watching the inauguration, so I will just have to have some while watching the inauguration on tivo later! I love everything about this dish. And the fact that this has your roasted tomatoes gives me all I need to know — it’s fabulous!
One of my all time favorite dishes. Your presentation is especially beautiful.
Don
I LOVE broccoli rabe…up until this past year my nonno used to grow them in his backyard and we had plenty to eat every winter!! I love the bitter taste too…and paired up with sausage and pasta is perfect!! Great recipe!
My grandparents also used to make maccheroni too…it is my favorite kind of pasta!!!
This looks gorgeous, Marie. Just the sort of thing I’m craving these days!
You’ve done it again! I’ll have a plate of that, please.
(And, thanks for your message. Sorry I messed up. Went a bit wobbly there. No way would I stop visiting either your or Maryann’s sites.)
Pairing fresh italian sausage with broccoli rabe (or cime di rape, as they call it here) is a typical winter favourite on the Amalfi Coast. I love it !
I must try this pasta!
I love broccoli rabe and pasta. This looks wonderful.
I love vegetables! Thanks for giving me a way to use broccoli rabe in Pasta.
Even the simplest things you make so outrageously delicious.
I have never seen this kind of pasta, but will keep looking in the stores….I love the combination of flavors you have used here….a tasty plate of food indeed!
I notice you are making macaroni! LOL
Marie, I have always loved broccoli rabe. I can make a meal out of a dish of rabe cooked in oil and garlic with a squueze of lemon..and and some crusty bread.
Your dish is wonderful!
Hope you are feeling better! This broccoli rabe dish would be so welcomed on my plate tonight. I love the beans in there, too. Can you believe that I’ve not had garlic flavored olive oil?!! That specialty pasta is lovely, too! YUM!
Hi Marie
We all adore broccoli rabe and I often saute it in olive oil with garlic, a little S&P and add a can of cannelini beans, and serve it as a side dish. YUM!
Is that pasta Calabrian? It looks like one that is popular there.
This looks so healthy Marie! I love broccoli rabe and pair it often with sausage.. but I usually bake them in a panzi. 🙂
“Yeah”.. I have enjoyed todays events as well honoring our new President and looking forward to what the future holds. I can only imagine the excitement in Chicago!!
Hugs to you..
Simple recipe, excellent ingredients, delicious result!
Cheers,
Elra
As Lucy said, this is a family favorite of ours too. Love broccoli rabe!
The maccheroni look like a good pick for this pasta dish, Marie. I love broccoli rabe!
One of my favourites too, great for this cold weather:)
The pasta looks excellent! What a tasty meal!
Wow – this looks great. One of my favorite pasta dishes. I’ve made it without the beans, but they are a great addition. Your photos are beautiful too!
I lvoe the way that pasta looks! So pretty and unique!
This is a family favorite to be sure and I love that pasta!!! Great dish, Marie!!! 😉