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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Cauliflower and Shell Pasta - Cavolfiore e Pasta

Cauliflower is one of the most popular winter vegetables in Italy.




Cauliflowers are rich in vitamin C, folic acid and potassium. Low in sodium, which makes it a good choice for those on low-salt diets, and low in calories. Whether they are white, green or purple, they are simply healthy.
  
 

Cauliflower and Shell Pasta
All photos - Copyright - ©2010 - La Casa e Il Giardino - picasaweb

Ingredients

1 large head cauliflower
1/2 lb. pasta shells
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 medium onion chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped tomatoes
Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
1 tablespoon parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste

Procedure
In a pan, add oil, chopped onion and minced garlic.  Saute' briefly, add tomatoes and simmer for 15 or so.
 
In the meantime, fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil; add cauliflower and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, until cauliflower is half-cooked and not yet fully tender. Drain the cauliflower.  Reserve some of the cooking water.  Separate the cauliflower florets and add to the tomato sauce.  Continue to simmer an additional 10 minutes until cauliflower is tender.  Salt and black pepper to taste.

In another pot, bring water to a boil, add pasta and cook al dente.  Drain pasta.  Add cauliflower sauce over pasta.  Sprinkle the chopped parsley and add an abundance of shaved Parmigiano.  If dry, add some of the reserved cooking water.

A great dish for a Meatless Monday.


8 comments:

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog. I happen to have a giant head of cauliflower in the fridge. Your pasta looks wonderful, simple, but flavorful. I love roasting cauliflower with just a drizzle of olive oil, so I may do a riff on your recipe.

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  2. Arlene - Thanks for commenting. I am a simple woman and my dishes reflect my upbringing post World War II.

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  3. I made your recipe for this dish yesterday! My husband and I devoured it!! Absloutely delicious!!

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  4. Marjenann - Thank you for the feedback and I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  5. I have just found your blog! What delicous recipes! I too make this cauliflower pasta dish and love it. Yours looks great! I am looking forward to my recipes!

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  6. Marcellina - Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
    By the way I believe "Marcellina" is a neighborhood in Naples. I have been there as a child.

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  7. I had to let you know I found this recipe yesterday and just had to make it for lunch today. It was deeeeelicous! I'm horrible about cooking with fresh food because, quite frankly, I have no idea what to do with it. Like too many Americans, I take the easy way out and "cook" with canned stuff. My idea of making cauliflower is boiling it and putting butter on it. I coudln't wait to try this recipe. I think I'll be using onions, garlic, tomatoes and parsley in a lot of things for now on. I've subscribed to your blog. Can't wait for more.

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  8. Joan - Thank you for stopping and commenting.
    Good food does not mean expensive.

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