It looks like aliens took over the broccoli patch, doesn’t it? Romanesco broccoli is a unique vegetable that looks like a cauliflower gone crazy but has an intense broccoli flavor. It was first grown in Italy and is now available in more European countries, the US, and in Israel.
If readers from other Middle-Eastern countries have spotted Romanesco broccoli in their local markets, please drop a comment below. Romanesco, like conventional broccoli, pairs well with pasta and cheese. It would be great in our pan-roasted cauliflower and broccoli recipe too, or in our tri-color pasta salad.
In this recipe, olive oil and strips of sun-dried tomatoes lend Mediterranean accents to the dish.
Pasta With Roasted Romanesco Broccoli
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 package shell macaroni
1/4-1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 head Romanesco broccoli
3 Tblsp. olive oil
3 Tblsp. Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, shredded with a vegetable peeler into strips
1 tsp. salt
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. – 400 degrees F.
Pour the olive oil into a bowl big enough to fit the florets. Add salt, pepper, and 1 Tblsp. of the cheese.
Separate the Romanesco broccoli into florets and place them in the bowl, turning them over a few times to coat them.
Roast the florets on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, then turn them over and roast another 10 minutes.
While the Romanesco broccoli is roasting, cook the macaroni. Rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water; drain and chop them coarsely.
Drain the cooked pasta; cover and keep it warm.
Toss the roasted Romanesco broccoli with the pasta and tomatoes. Sprinkle the remaining 2 Tblsp. cheese over all.
Serve right away.
More delicious vegetarian food recipes:
- 5 Ways To Eat Iron-Rich Foraged Nettles
- Green And Black Olive Spreads
- Baked Eggplant Slices in Tomato Sauce
- Make Your Own Sauerkraut
Image of Romanesco Pasta Dish and Romanesco broccoli via Shutterstock.
Author: Miriam Kresh
Miriam Kresh is an American ex-pat living in Israel. Her love of Middle Eastern food evolved from close friendships with enthusiastic Moroccan, Tunisian and Turkish home cooks. She owns too many cookbooks and is always planning the next meal. Miriam can be reached at miriam (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
I’ve sown these and purple brocolli in my own garden this year. The seeds can be bought in almost every supermarket or gardening store here in the netherlands.
Makar Farm in Giza Egypt has been putting Romanesco in our veggie boxes.
Tell us more about Makar Farm.