Sicilian Broccoli and Ditalini

Submitted by FoodFromSicily

"This is a wonderful and easy vegetable&pasta recipe that my family has been making for ages. We use only fresh broccoli and I have added bullion cubes to enhance the flavor. I hope you try this delicious and healthy dish."

 

• Ready In: 20hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 large fresh broccoli
• 1 whole garlic clove
• 1 large onion
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 bouillon cubes (Use vegetarian bouillon to make this recipe vegetarian.)
• fresh black pepper (to taste)
• parmesan cheese (to taste)
• 1⁄2 lb ditalini (or small shells)
• 6 cups water

directions

1. Place in a dutch oven or a large deep frying pan:

2. Chopped onion and garlic and saute in the olive oil for approximately 10 minutes but do NOT brown. (just a slightly golden color will be good).
3. Clean and trim broccoli and cut into 2" pieces.
4. Add cut broccoli to garlic and onion.
5. turn down flame and add 6 cups very hot water and bullion cubes, & salt & pepper.
6. Simmer until broccoili is still slightly crunchy and add pasta.
7. Add more water if needed while pasta is cooking with the broccoli as it can absorb alot of the water.
8. cook until pasta and broccoli are both tender and most of the water is absorbed.
9. turn off the heat and sprinkle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and approximatly 1/2 cup parmegiano cheese. Toss and serve.
10. You can garnish with lemon if you like.

Reviews

[ASTORIAPEACH]

DARLENE THIS DISH TAKES ME RIGHT BACK TO THE BASEMENT DAYS AT GRAM-N-POPS! I'VE MADE IT TWICE IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITH DITALINI AND THE SECOND WAS TONIGHT WITH ORECHIETTE. I THINK THE LATTER IS THE WINNER..AND I'VE RECENTLY TRIED A NEW PASTA THAT TAKES THE CAKE!! ITS RUMMO PASTA, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF IT? OMG PASTA DAYS WILL N E V E R BE THE SAME. BUON APPETITO AND TY MUCHO FOR SHARING.

 

[JackieOhNo!]

This is something I was raised on by my Italian grandmother, so the taste is very familiar to me, and is like comfort food. I made this pretty much as posted, using 2 bunches of broccoli and 16 oz. of ditalini (while still only using 6 cups of water). I didn't have bouillon cubes, so used powder in its place. I also added some crushed red pepper flakes. The end result was just like I remembered. I served this with some garlic and cheese sausage, but will happily eat the leftovers on their own. The parmegiano cheese is a must. Made for Spring PAC 2013.

 

[susie cooks]

Nice dish. I had a lot of broth left when the pasta was done. So i just drained some of it. I added some red pepper flakes instead of black pepper. Very easy to make. Thanks! Made for PAC Spring 2009.

 

[bellsforher]

it was a very healthy feeling dish.... i did feel it was a little lacking in flavour but it is a substantial hole-filler. would definitely recommend some lemon juice or even chicken stock for those non-vegetarians.

 

[Mysterygirl]

I used broth instead of the boullion cubes as I had some of my own in the freezer. Nice blend of flavors and definitely different from the average pasta recipes. It paired well with the stuffed chicken.