Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Cauliflower Pasta: A True Taste of Sicilian Tradition
Uncover the rich flavours of Messina with this classic Sicilian cauliflower pasta — a comforting dish packed with authentic island heritage.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 400g pasta of your choice
- ✓ 1 cauliflower
- ✓ 1 garlic clove
- ✓ 2 salted, boneless anchovies
- ✓ Capers
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Messina-style tomato sauce
- ✓ 80g Sicilian pecorino, grated
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil
📊 Nutritional Information
Cauliflower pasta is a dish deeply rooted in Sicilian culinary traditions, showcasing how the island's cuisine can transform humble ingredients into genuine flavour masterpieces. Often mistaken for broccoli in Sicily, cauliflower is a versatile and cherished vegetable starring in many Sicilian recipes. In this dish, the cauliflower is beautifully enhanced by the robust aroma of garlic, the savoury punch of anchovies, and the aromatic hint of capers, making it a perfect first course for chilly winter evenings or a light springtime lunch. Let your senses embark on a journey through the vibrant and honest flavours of Sicily.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Break the cauliflower into modest-sized florets.
- 2
Boil in plenty of salted water for about 30 minutes, taking care not to overcook.
- 3
In a pan, gently fry the crushed garlic in olive oil, making sure it doesn’t burn.
- 4
Add the anchovies and capers, then stir in the tomato sauce.
- 5
Simmer everything together for around 10 minutes.
- 6
Mix in the cooked cauliflower to soak up all those flavours.
- 7
Cook the pasta in the cauliflower water, drain it al dente, then add it to the pan.
- 8
Give it a good stir and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- 9
Serve sprinkled generously with grated pecorino.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a bit of a kick, add a pinch of chilli flakes while cooking the sauce. If you’d rather keep it vegetarian, simply skip the anchovies and stir in some black olives for an extra depth of flavour.
📦 Storage
- • Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- • You can freeze the cooked dish for up to a month.
- • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for about 10 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy this cauliflower pasta alongside a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a Sicilian red wine that beautifully complements the dish’s vibrant flavours.
This cauliflower pasta is a real gem from Sicily’s rich culinary heritage — simple yet bursting with character. I do hope you’ll give it a go at home, as it’s the kind of dish that brings a little joy to the table and makes for a lovely meal with family or friends. Don’t forget to share your thoughts, and perhaps even this recipe, to spread a little Sicilian sunshine in your own kitchen.
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