Orecchiette Rabe (Broccoli) Pasta

This is a great Southern Italian recipe from 150 year old butcher shop in Bari Italy, owner is Leda Monzari. It has a unique bitter flavor from the rappini Italian broccoli, which I cannot get in Russia yet but in most USA markets.Orecchiette Pasta is ear shaped and pinched, get it anywhere in USA.This is different, your friends will come back for more! John Ortega in Moscow,Russia

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  cups  orecchiette
• 1  lb broccoli rabe (Rappinni Broccoli)
• 3  garlic cloves
• 5  slices anchovies
•  cherry tomatoes (optional)
•  hot  chili pepper flakes

Directions

1. Put olive oil in a non stick pan, add the chopped Garlic, Pepper Flakes, and the Anchovies.
2. Cook till garlic turns a slight brown.
3. Put Rape or Rappinni Broccoli in boiling hot water, salt, cook till soft.
4. Strain rabe from the boiling water and use the green water to boil the Orecchiette pasta.
5. Strain water from pasta, add pasta and rape to olive oil mixture,garlic,anchovie mixture, toss and serve it hot.